Background: The three-year long COVID-19 pandemic triggered an increase in prevalence of mental health issues worldwide with ethnic minorities being the recipient of double-hit, lack of resources prior to the pandemic and more affected by the pandemic safety measures during the pandemic. Yet, little is known about their mental health after recovering from the pandemic in Hong Kong.

Aims: The current study aimed to investigate mental well-being status (anxiety, depression, and insomnia) during recovery from the impact of the pandemic and to identify differences and predictors in help-seeking behaviors among South and Southeast Asians.

Methodology: A convenience sample of 273 adults (Mage:32.8 years; 87 males, 182 females, 4 undisclosed) were recruited from Jan to Aug 2023. Participants completed an online survey consisting of demographics, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), quality of life and health, and help-seeking barrier questionnaire.

Results: Using the cutoff of 10 for GAD-7 and PHQ-9, and 15 for ISI, 13.6% of the respondents were at risk of suffering from anxiety, 22.8% from depression, and 12.1% from insomnia, respectively. About one-third (28.6%) of the participants were at risk of developing a mental health disorder. At-risk group scored significantly higher on mental health help-seeking barriers including concerns over cost and cultural/ language barriers, being too busy, and stigma towards mental health as compared to low-risk individuals. Regression model indicated that full-time employment, lower education level, and being at risk of suffering from mental health disorder(s) significantly predicted more help-seeking barriers.

Conclusion: Depression was more common than anxiety and sleep problems among South Asians in Hong Kong, where those at risk presented more help-seeking barriers. Culturally sensitive and language barrier free interventions are needed to alleviate mental health symptoms to improve their mental well-being among South and Southeast Asians in Hong Kong.