Survey: One in Five Caregivers of Mental Health Recovery Service Users Have Had Suicidal or Self-Harm Thoughts

SighingCashier · 2026-03-13T08:25:15+00:00

A survey conducted by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the University of Hong Kong shows that caregivers of individuals with mental health recovery in Hong Kong experience significant psychological stress, with 20% having had suicidal thoughts, 66% facing a high caregiving burden, and 61% exhibiting mild depression. Caregivers are eager to learn skills for interacting with and caring for the individuals, as well as to obtain information related to the illnesses, but have lower needs for self-care.

SighingCashier

2026-03-13 08:25:15

Abstract generation in progress

Tung Wah Group of Hospitals “Take a Break” Caregiver Resource Center, together with the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong, conducted an online survey from May to August last year. The study aimed to explore the caregiving experiences and unmet service needs of caregivers of individuals with mental health recovery in Hong Kong. A total of 1,157 responses were collected, including 885 caregivers of individuals with mental health recovery.

Associate Professor Wong Wai-ching from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at HKU pointed out that 20% of caregivers had experienced thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a rate significantly higher than the 15.3% among the general population in Hong Kong. Additionally, 13% had considered harming the person they care for, and 41% were long-term worried that the individual with mental health recovery might self-harm. These mental health indicators are significantly related to caregiving burden and depression levels, reflecting the heavy psychological stress faced by caregivers.

Caregivers of individuals with mental health recovery generally endure high levels of caregiving stress. The survey showed that 66% of caregivers experienced high caregiving burden, with an average ZBI-12 score of 22.57, indicating severe burden. Moreover, 61% showed mild depression or higher, with an average PHQ-9 score of 6.995. Compared to other countries, Hong Kong caregivers’ burden is notably higher. The study also found that caregivers’ burden and depression levels are significantly related to the condition of the person they care for.

Regarding service needs, 67.4% of caregivers wish to learn how to interact with the person they care for; 66% want strategies for managing symptoms and behaviors; 64.9% seek guidance on future planning for the individual; and 64.7% want to understand the disease progression. However, caregivers’ needs for self-care are relatively lower, with less than half (46.6%) interested in emotional hotlines, and 34.4% indicating a need for daytime care or respite services to maintain work-life balance.

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