Latest news with #mentalHealthAwareness
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Is Hong Kong's culture of comparison weighing down on students?
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification The recent youth survey ('Nearly 30% of Hong Kong secondary pupils thought of self-harm, suicide: study', May 12 ) should not be dismissed as trivial or viewed with contempt by adults who see the younger generation as flaky, spineless and weak. It is exactly a lack of willingness to empathise that sometimes contributes to fatal outcomes. Whenever news of a student suicide breaks, there is a lot of online and social conjecture. Experts typically respond with platitudes about complex, varied reasons, perhaps to avoid laying blame too easily. However, something in me cries out that this is unhelpful. Until a reason is identified, the problem – or should I say malaise – might simply persist. In Hong Kong, it's common to be curious about our interlocutor's profession. 'What do you do for a living?' is a seemingly innocuous question, and yet we often go on to compare ourselves with our interlocutor. If we compare favourably, have more prestigious careers or earn more, we feel superior. If we compare unfavourably, we feel inferior and bitter. Comparison is rife in our city. One moment you're on the crest of pride, the next you're drowning in inadequacy. This erodes one's self-worth. If adults themselves are caught in this relentless current of comparison, wouldn't it be easy for them to pass down the same mindset to their children, putting their emotional well-being in jeopardy? Outside schools, there are banners flaunting students' public exam triumphs. Rarely does one see schools displaying testimonials from students saying they have discovered their purpose, talent and their path because of the education they received there.
Medical News Today
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Menopause and mental health: Symptoms and management
The hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect a person's mental health. A person may also experience changes in their mental health due to the physical symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a natural event in which a person permanently stops having menstrual periods. The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, describes the time leading up to menopause in which a person experiences changes in the menstrual cycle and other symptoms. This article explores the mental health symptoms someone may experience during the menopausal transition. It also examines how the physical symptoms of the menopausal transition may affect a person's mental health, tips for managing mental health during the menopausal transition, and when to speak with a healthcare professional. You'll notice the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of 'male' and 'female' or 'men' and 'women.' While we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical in mood, such as increased irritability increased irritability signs of depression, which may include chronic feelings of: sadness emptiness guilt or worthlessness signs of anxiety, which can involve feelings of: Gender roles and expectations may also affect a person's mental health. In heterosexual relationships, women still do the most child care and household labor overall. These responsibilities, combined with the physical symptoms of menopause, may contribute to stress and other changes in mental health. Furthermore, some people may experience changes in mental health due to changes in caregiving responsibilities, such as children leaving home or older relatives requiring care due to illness or disability. Hot flashes: A hot flash describes a rush of heat that affects the upper body and face. If a hot flash occurs at night, it may interrupt someone's sleep and lead to tiredness or fatigue during the day. Lack of sleep may contribute to irritability and feelings of depression. A hot flash describes a rush of heat that affects the upper body and face. If a hot flash occurs at night, it may interrupt someone's sleep and lead to tiredness or fatigue during the day. Lack of sleep may contribute to irritability and feelings of depression. Vaginal dryness: As estrogen decreases during the menopausal transition, the lining of the vagina may become dryer, thinner, and less elastic. This may cause pain during sex, which, in turn, may cause feelings of anxiety or distress. As estrogen decreases during the menopausal transition, the lining of the vagina may become dryer, thinner, and less elastic. This may cause pain during sex, which, in turn, may cause feelings of anxiety or distress. Low sex drive: People often experience low libido during the menopausal transition. This may lead to feelings of anxiety. People often experience low libido during the menopausal transition. This may lead to feelings of anxiety. Sleep problems: Menopause may contribute to sleep problems, such as insomnia and waking up much earlier than usual. Changes in sleep schedule may contribute to irritability and other changes in mood. Menopause may contribute to sleep problems, such as insomnia and waking up much earlier than usual. Changes in sleep schedule may contribute to irritability and other changes in mood. Urinary incontinence: Individuals often experience difficulties with bladder control and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) during menopause. This may lead to feelings of anxiety and irritability. Individuals often experience difficulties with bladder control and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) during menopause. This may lead to feelings of anxiety and irritability. Changes in body composition: People may lose muscle while gaining fat, experience skin dryness and thinning, or have muscle and joint pain or stiffness. These changes may lead to lower self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence, as well as negative body image. A 2023 review suggests that menopausal symptoms are associated with a more negative body image perception. Some tips for managing mental health during menopause include: People may need to try several different management techniques or a combination of management techniques before finding the right one for them. » Learn more:Natural remedies to help manage perimenopause symptoms A person should contact a doctor if they notice any new or worsening mental health symptoms during the menopausal transition. A healthcare professional can recommend appropriate treatment and other resources to help with the mental and physical symptoms of menopause. If they experience severe mental health symptoms, such as suicidal ideation, they should contact their local emergency services. Some possible mental health symptoms associated with the menopausal transition include changes in mood and signs of anxiety and depression. People may also experience changes in mental health, such as low self-esteem and self-confidence, due to the physical symptoms of menopause. Tips for managing mental health during menopause include seeking support from loved ones, speaking with a mental health professional, and talking with a doctor about treatments for the physical symptoms. A person should contact a healthcare professional if they notice any new or worsening mental health symptoms during the menopausal transition.
