Insomnia presents significant health risks and impairs daily functioning, disproportionally affects South Asian population in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the sleep health needs of these large communities have been largely neglected and understudied. Various stressors, including language barriers, the pressure to adapt to local culture while preserving traditions, work demands, and family responsibilities, contribute to poor sleep quality. Additionally, the social stigma surrounding mental health further discourages individuals from seeking support. It is important to note that insomnia often serves as a strong indicator of underlying mental health issues, making it an ideal starting point for addressing mood-related concerns. While cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia disorder, very few insomnia patients have access to this treatment. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge,  there is currently no culturally adapted online CBTI available specifically tailored to the South Asian population in Hong Kong.

The project team has developed an online self-help CBT-I program in Chinese, which has shown remarkable results in reducing insomnia and mood symptoms, while enhancing sleep quality and overall well-being. This evidence-based program will be translated into Hindi and English, ensuring accessibility to a broader range of individuals. Additionally, it will be culturally adapted to address the specific challenges faced by community members when implementing strategies while living with family and incorporating religious rituals. Furthermore, the project aims to empower frontline workers by providing them with professional training on sleep problems and intervention, thereby enhancing their ability to deliver effective sleep interventions to their clients.

By making evidence-based CBT-I accessible via this community-centric approach, we hope to empower vulnerable South Asian individuals from underserved populations with knowledge and tools to better understand, prioritize and proactively manage their sleep health. Our goal is promoting wellness through inclusive sleep care for all residents of Hong Kong, including ethnic minorities.

200 South Asian ethnic minorities
30 healthcare and social workers

2024

Ethnic Minorities, Healthcare, Well-being