RAINY is an acronym for some common signs of early developing mental health problems in children and adolescents. It includes “REFUSAL” to go to school; “ADDICTION” due to substance abuse; “IRRITABILITY” because of negative mood; “NIGHTMARE” after exposing to trauma, anxiety or bullying; with or without forming antisocial behavior as in “YOUTH Delinquency” aggressive act.

A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Playground Association in 2018 found that at least a third of young people in Hong Kong suffered from stress, anxiety or depression. Depression and anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychopathology in children. These aggregate in families, in other words in infancy stage, children have been predisposed to depressed or anxious parents, and they also grow in socio-emotional environments marked by alterations in parents’ emotional expressions. If children’s mental health problems are left untreated, these can disrupt their functioning at home, school and in the community.

We are much honored to invite a veteran psychiatrist cum a mental health advisor to share some of the tips for youth mental health including early identification, diagnosis and treatment plan.