As early as 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Mental health is described as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community." ^[1]The WHO also emphasized that "there is no health without mental health," highlighting the importance of mental well-being.

Young adults (ages 18 to 29) are in a period of emerging adulthood, characterized by significant changes. They often feel that they are neither adolescents nor full-fledged adults, but somewhere in between. Good mental health is crucial for these young people, especially as they transition from school to the workplace, adapting to new roles, environments, and workplace cultures, and facing various pressures.

In Hong Kong, the government adopts a Stepped Care model to protect the mental health of young people, offering different levels of identification and intervention services based on individual needs. Mental health issues are complex and often involve multiple sectors.^[2]，Currently, the government provides various services to support children and adolescents with mental health problems. However, for young adults in transition, improving service coordination and integration could lead to more friendly and flexible services that better meet their needs. Globally, there have been numerous initiatives to address the mental health challenges faced by young people transitioning from school to the workplace, in both Western and Asian regions.

Given this background, this study aims to understand how young people in Hong Kong adapt to the transition from school to the workplace, their views on seeking help, and to draw on service experiences from other regions. The study will provide practical recommendations tailored to the unique needs of young professionals in Hong Kong.

[1] 世界衞生組織在二零零四年發表的《促進精神衞生：概念．新證據．實踐》報告概要。這份 報告由世衞精神衞生與物質濫用部聯同維多利亞健康促進基金會和墨爾本大學聯合編撰。日 內瓦：世衞。

[2] 香港特別行政區政府 食物及衞生局 (2017 年4 月18 日)。〈精神健康檢討報告〉。網址： https://www.healthbureau.gov.hk/download/press_and_publications/otherinfo/180500_mh r/c_mhr_full_report.pdf

This study uses data collected between February to March 2024 through: an onsite survey of 604 young people (aged 18 to 29); parallel-case interviews with 22 individuals; and one-to-one interviews with 5 academics and experts.

1. Young people transitioning from school to the workplace experience significant stress due to identity shifts and workplace challenges. Left unaddressed the stress can have long-term effects on both the overall well-being of individuals and society as a whole.
2. Our research shows that the adaptation period from school to the workplace typically lasts 2 to 6 months. During this time, young individuals may suffer from anxiety, unease, insomnia and eating disorders. Over 30% of surveyed young adults reported various pressures during this transition period. The provision of targeted support at this time can facilitate a smoother transition.
3. Coping with stress in the workplace is essential, and young adults point to “financial matters”, “personal development and future prospects”, and “work” as the main stress factors. Over 50% of respondents prefer to seek stress relief from friends. Engaging in exercise, getting adequate rest, spending time in nature, or socialising with friends are seen as effective stress-reducing strategies.
4. Half of the young adults surveyed believe that there is limited acceptance of individuals with mental illnesses in the workplace. Many young adults are reluctant to discuss their emotional problems with colleagues or superiors, as it is thought that it might hinder their career development.
5. The willingness of individuals to seek mental health services is influenced by various factors. These include concerns about discrimination, being labelled, denial of their emotional/mental health issues, and lack of awareness about available services. Online access, high privacy standards, affordability, accessibility, awareness and recognition, and de-stigmatising efforts are believed to encourage young people with mental health needs to seek services.
6. Collaboration between government, businesses, and employees to promote workplace-friendly measures related to mental health not only helps to alleviate work-related stress but also enhances job performance. Social awareness and consideration of mental health issues has a broad beneficial impact on overall societal productivity.