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Pandemic Minds: Covid-19 and Mental Health in Hong Kong Paperback – 30 April 2024

by Kate Whitehead (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
Uses stories of life under Hong Kong's strict pandemic restrictions to inspire mental health awareness.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a global crisis that affected millions of lives and brought mental health challenges to the forefront. In Hong Kong, the situation was worsened by uniquely strict COVID-19 regulations, quarantine measures, and travel restrictions. The mental health issues associated with the pandemic did not end with the lifting of the mask mandate. On the contrary, the repercussions are only just beginning to surface and their impact will be felt for years to come.

This eye-opening book shares the stories of ordinary Hongkongers who faced extraordinary challenges during the pandemic. Through a blend of first-person accounts, psychological insights, and hard data, it offers a compelling and accessible exploration of the toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on mental health in Hong Kong.

However, Pandemic Minds is not only a chronicle of suffering--it is also a guide to healing and hope. It offers practical advice on how to overcome the mental health issues caused by the pandemic, and how to build resilience and well-being. It reveals the lessons that can be learned from Hong Kong's experience, and how they can help individuals and policymakers around the world.
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  1. ISBN-10
    9888842897
  2. ISBN-13
    978-9888842896
  3. Publisher
    Hong Kong University Press
  4. Publication date
    30 April 2024
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    15.24 x 1.45 x 22.86 cm
  7. Print length
    244 pages
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Product description

Review

'Pandemic Minds delves into the profound psychological aftermath of the global crisis and how it has reshaped our understanding of community and mental health care. This book is an essential blueprint for anyone committed to the cause of mental health in a post-pandemic world that will resonate with readers long after the last page is turned.'

-Candice Powell, CEO, Mind HK



'Pandemic Minds is a vital and telling book, with moving stories of the huge impact of COVID-19 on people in Hong Kong. This book also offers the prospect of a silver lining from this collective disaster, namely that it is now more possible to speak about mental health problems, and that COVID-19 may in fact have helped to reduce mental health stigma.'

-Sir Graham Thornicroft, professor of community psychiatry, King's College London



'A thoughtful and well-researched account of the many different facets of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. Kate Whitehead's engaging narrative and case studies bring back to life memories of a time that challenged the mental health and well-being of so many of us and will help us all to reflect upon and learn from the experiences that we shared.'

-Hannah Reidy, clinical psychologist



'The almost three-year-long COVID-19 pandemic was difficult for many, especially amongst low-income families. We are still suffering from the long COVID of mental health. Mental wellness of the population during COVID-19, particularly amongst those who had been quarantined, was overlooked by authorities. Pandemic Minds provides many insights to prevent repeating mistakes again.'

-Paul S.F. Yip, director, Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong



'The Hong Kong COVID-19 response was characterised by a top-down, disease-based approach with little thought given to psychological and social well-being. The power of this book lies in the individual narratives. I would encourage anyone with an interest in those times to take a walk in some other Hong Kong shoes.'

-David Owens, honorary clinical assistant professor in family medicine, University of Hong Kong

About the Author

Kate Whitehead is an award-winning journalist and author of two Hong Kong crime books, After Suzie and Hong Kong Murders. She is also a qualified psychotherapist with a special interest in the treatment of anxiety issues, stress, and trauma.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hong Kong University Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 30 April 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9888842897
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9888842896
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 408 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.45 x 22.86 cm
  • Best Sellers Rank: 2,087,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer reviews:
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • KW
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This wonderfully easy read of a difficult subject helped the hours to roll past on a recent long haul flight. It brought me back in a good way to not just what I experienced during the global pandemic but also the perspectives of people from different backgrounds and experiences. Hong Kong was probably the most infected city in the world because of the initial strategy of closing the borders. A fascinating insight in the different demographics to understand the mental health impacts on each of them as well as providing guided mental health strategies. The author has a knack for simplifying what could have been an overly complex book. You don’t have to have any association with Hong Kong for this to resonate. The stories echoed the world over. A massive thumbs up for me.
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  • Samantha T.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great and thought provoking read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 June 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Such a great and thought provoking read - the book delves into the complexities of human resilience amidst global crisis. Through poignant storytelling, the writer navigates the emotional landscapes of individuals in Hong Kong grappling with uncertainty, fear and hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book weaves together personal narratives, societal reflections and psychological insights offering a compelling exploration of how adversity shapes our identities and perceptions. 'Pandemic Minds' is a timely and important read, reminding us of the profound impact of collective trauma on the human psyche and the enduring power of human spirit in times of upheaval.
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  • Meets1
    5.0 out of 5 stars A VERY useful reminder and review of important lessons to learn from this time.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A very well written book. This book has a very valuable purpose and serves as a very good reminder of the events during the pandemic. This book highlights the impact the pandemic has had on our mental health. This is not to be underestimated. It gives suggestions on strategies and support regarding mental health at the end of each chapter. A must read!
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  • Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars An important, gripping read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 June 2024
    Format: Paperback
    “This book delves deeper than the cold, hard data found in scholarly articles… With compassion and curiosity, it seeks to reveal the human side of the crisis.” That’s what “Pandemic Minds” says in the forward, and Kate Whitehead’s book does just that. With varied – but equally harrowing – personal stories from those whose lives were suddenly upended by the pandemic: a pregnant woman locked up in a quarantine facility, unable to make contact with her captors when food fails to arrive. She presses the emergency button in her room… and nothing happens; a man torn apart by the death of his father, forced to spend weeks in complete isolation while grappling with grief; residents of a building that suddenly becomes a prison guarded by police who tell them they cannot leave – even to buy food. Little wonder that a new pandemic followed in the wake of Covid – a pandemic of mental health that saw depression and anxiety soar, even as outbreaks of violent crime shocked the city. “Pandemic Minds” is the only book that explores the psychological impact of the pandemic in Hong Kong, with its unusually harsh Covid measures. It’s gripping, alarming and important – but it is ultimately hopeful, offering lessons for the future. Kate Whitehead brings together sharp, vivid writing, keen investigative skills and a deep, professional understanding of mental health and trauma to create an urgently needed book with a message that resonates far beyond the borders of Hong Kong. Everyone should read this.
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