Press Conference Case Sharing: Survey on Treatment-Resistant Depression & Policy Recommendations
- Prologue Editorial
- May 29
- 3 min read
Depression is one of the prevalent public health issues that society needs to address collectively. However, individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are often overlooked, leading to profound consequences. The Hong Kong Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (HKAPR), which has long been concerned with and advocated on various issues surrounding mental health disorders, surveyed local individuals with mental illnesses or challenges during July to October last year, with the goal of profiling the current landscape of TRD in Hong Kong.
Building on last year’s press conference addressing severe mental illness, Team Prologue once again partnered with HKAPR to organize a press conference focused on TRD. The conference unveiled the survey findings, research report, and a series of policy recommendations.
The event drew 13 media outlets in attendance and set a new record with 71 news coverages, including major traditional media such as TVB, i-Cable, NowTV, RTHK and Commercial Radio, as well as an exclusive feature by the Hong Kong Economic Times, significantly raising public awareness of TRD.
TRD refers to severe depression cases in which patients do not respond adequately to at least two different antidepressants. According to research by local universities, about 18% of depression patients develop TRD within six years of their initial diagnosis. With an estimated 300,000 depression patients in Hong Kong, this suggests approximately 54,000 are suffering from TRD. According to the projections by the LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU, this group — though constituting less than 20% of all depression cases — will consume nearly half of all depression-related healthcare resources.
This survey interviewed a group of local individuals with mental health challenges and collected a total of 106 valid responses, nearly 60% (57.5%) of whom were patients with depression. Further analysis of the data on depression patients in the research report revealed that the prevalence of TRD in Hong Kong may be more serious when compared to the attempted suicide rate in international research.
Dr. Michael Wong, Chairman of HKAPR and Psychiatrist, highlighted the urgency of addressing treatment-resistant depression. He explained that TRD symptoms are similar to general depression. TRD’s severity and treatment complexity are markedly higher, with 10 times greater suicide attempt risks and double the suicide rate compared to typical cases.
However, the lack of official statistics from the government has rendered this group largely invisible and unable to receive appropriate treatment. Dr. Wong also warned that oversight could lead to a hidden mental health crisis, adversely affect the well-being of patients and their caregivers, while straining the local healthcare system.
Dr. Timothy Yeung, Vice Chairman of HKAPR and Psychiatrist, noted that more support is needed for TRD, in terms of reducing the burden of hospitalization and providing patients with more effective medications.
Prof. Siu-man Ng, Professor of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU, and Member of HKAPR, stressed the lack of public awareness towards depression and TRD. It is crucial to improve public education to raise awareness about depression and encourage an early help-seeking mindset.
Exclusive Feature:
香港經濟日報 HKET – 頑治抑鬱症患者 企圖自殺率高10倍 及早識別隱形個案 處方新藥控病情 [Link]
Media Coverage:
TVB – 調查指本港頑治抑鬱症患者比例或較預期多 籲政府增撥資源助病人 [Link]
有綫新聞 i-Cable – 調查指本港抑鬱病人患「頑治抑鬱症」比例高 倡及早識別隱形患者 [Link]
香港電台 RTHK – 調查指本港抑鬱病人患「頑治抑鬱症」比例高 倡及早識別隱形患者 [Link]
商業電台 CRHK – 調查指「頑治抑鬱症」病人或比預期多 關注團體促政府公布統計數據 [Link]
文匯報 Wen Wei Po – 調查估算逾5.4萬港人患頑治抑鬱症 [Link]
am730 – 籲統計人數、治療方法 應對頑治性抑鬱症 [Link]
The Standard – Experts warn of higher treatment-resistant depression rate among HK patients [Link]
獨立媒體 inmedia – 調查指頑治抑鬱症患者或較預期高 促加強數據追蹤及公眾教育[Link]
Healthy D – 抑鬱症｜調查：本地頑治抑鬱比例可能高於預期 協會促加強公眾教育解決「隱形」危機 [Link]
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