A mediation expert is calling on families and schools to prioritise emotional well-being over exam results as the new school year approaches.

The appeal follows a new survey revealing that nearly half of all students consider academic pressure their heaviest burden.

The study, jointly conducted by Junior Chamber International Lion Rock and the Hong Kong Family Mediation Association, polled 361 students and parents between March and August.

The findings show that 46.9 percent of students and 42.1 percent of parents identify academic pressure as the primary source of anxiety in young people’s lives.

According to the survey, daily family conversations are frequently dominated by homework and tests, with many students saying they equated their grades directly with their self-worth – and even their loveability.

When results fall short of expectations, students said this mindset can trigger deep existential anxiety and painful self-denial.

Fish Leung, executive director of the Hong Kong Family Mediation Association, urged families and society to rethink their approach, and address the deeper emotional needs behind student stress.

To help parents navigate tense moments, Leung advocated for a technique known as "pause and refrain".

"[When parents] react to the so-called bad attitude, [they] are taught to pause and then treat the behaviour just like an emotional distress signal and meet it with some empathy," she said.

"They can say I see you are deeply overwhelmed now and I'm here when you're ready to talk, we can talk and we will be here and support you."

The study also exposed a significant communication gap between generations. While 22 percent of students reported that their parents failed to recognise their stress, only 12 percent of parents admitted they were unable to detect their children's distress.

Even more alarming, 11 percent of students surveyed admitted to engaging in extreme behaviours, such as self-harm, as a result of emotional pressure.

In response, the survey organisers have urged schools, families, and community leaders to remain vigilant. They stressed that such extreme actions should never be dismissed as isolated incidents; rather, they must be seen as urgent cries for help.

Moving forward, the organisers emphasised the need for preventive mediation and proactive emotional guidance.


Edited by Aaron Tam