Post-COVID-19 mental health challenges in Hong Kong: a review of policy and practice trajectories

Purpose This study aims to explore the efficacy of mental health policies implemented in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify strategic priorities for advancing policy and practice in the post-pandemic period. Design/methodology/approach Using a scoping review methodology, this study synthesises existing literature on mental health challenges experienced in Hong Kong during the pandemic. The analysis is structured around the health policy triangle framework, which examines policy content, context, actors and processes to evaluate current mental health strategies and guide future policy development. Findings The review identifies a broad spectrum of pandemic-related mental health risk factors, including the characteristics of the outbreak, enforcement of protective measures and social distancing, diminished social capital, restricted access to face-to-face healthcare, media-driven anxiety and fears of infection or transmission. While the government assumed a central role in implementing public health measures, public opinion largely attributed successful pandemic management to community-led initiatives. These findings emphasise the need for mental health policies that are inclusive, adaptive and grounded in community engagement, alongside practice trajectories that prioritise accessibility, responsiveness and integration of community-based approaches. Originality/value This study adopts a policy-focused lens by applying the health policy triangle framework to examine mental health governance in Hong Kong. It integrates empirical evidence from the pandemic with policy analysis, offering insights into policy directions and practice trajectories that can strengthen mental health systems in the post-COVID-19 context.