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PRESS RELEASE: Move It for Mental Health 2021

15/01/2021
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Exercise plays an important role in preventing and treating mental health problems, yet 80% of Hongkongers do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity. Mind HK encourages Hong Kong Kong residents to complete 50km in nature this February for their physical and mental health.

(Download full press release here)

#moveitformentalhealth #MoveItHK #50kmNatureChallenge 

(Hong Kong, 15 January 2021) For the fourth time, Mind Hong Kong (Mind HK) is running it’s Move it for Mental Health (#MoveItHK) campaign to raise awareness of how exercise impacts physical and mental health. This year’s campaign, supported by Here to Be, lululemon’s social impact program, challenges Hong Kong-ers to complete 50km in nature from February 1 to February 28 2021. Participants who complete and log 50km will be eligible for a prize. In line with this campaign, Mind HK will be launching its new sports and mental health training and hosting a webinar featuring personal mental health stories.

Join now via www.moveithk.com and watch their 2021 Move it for Mental Health video. 

Move it for Mental Health 2021 Campaign Video, produced by Capsule48 and featuring lululemon ambassadors Chris Tang, Athena Wong, Alexandria Cheng, and Kieran Rogers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2LAuAO4Nb8&list=PLqGxi75ykJZng8I82WwrHJhLp9LeMj3Xr

 

Mental and physical health are closely linked, yet over 80% of Hongkongers do not achieve the recommended level of weekly physical activity.  40% of Hong Kong is country parks and many can reach a country park within one hours’ public transportation. However, according to a research report published by Trailwatch and School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong in 2019, 43.9% of Hongkongers do not visit country parks, and more than 10% have never visited a country park once. Evidence has shown that being in nature has positive impacts on both our physical and mental health – nature promotes physical activities, improves mood and self-esteem, reduces feelings of negative emotions, relieves stress and anxiety, and promotes brain restoration.

 

“Mind HK’s research in September 2020 revealed that 55% of people in Hong Kong felt their mental health had been negatively impacted during the pandemic. With current COVID-19 restrictions in place, many people have made the most out of a challenging situation and spent ample time outdoors hiking, trail walking, cycling, etc. We believe this is favourable towards both our physical and mental health and want people to realise the mental health benefits of exercising in nature. Being active in nature can help lower stress, increase productivity and improve overall mental well-being.” – Teresa Chan, Clinical Advisor, Mind HK

 

“In lululemon, we are committed to support the holistic well-being of our community. We believe physical health and mental health are equally important and happy to support our Here to Be partner Mind HK in advocating the importance of physical exercise for mental health .” – lululemon Hong Kong

 

How to get involved in the Move it for Mental Health 50km Nature challenge

To get involved, people should visit www.moveithk.com to learn more and sign up for the 50km Nature Challenge. Be it by walking, hiking, running, biking, participants should complete 50km+ in nature in the month of February, in order to win a prize from our supporting organisations. Participants can also become a #MoveItHK supporter, by fundraising for Mind HK. For more information, please contact [email protected]

Mental Health Stories event: January 2021

Three of Mind HK’s esteemed ambassadors will share their stories of mental health recovery and delve into how exercise has helped them through this process. This interactive webinar will include discussions on experiences of mental health in the workplace, managing a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, coping with anxiety and depression, managing an eating disorder, and the stress culture in Hong Kong. Event details can be found here.

Sports Training

In honour of #MoveItHK, Mind HK will be launching a new sports training, for fitness instructors and sports professionals, named “Working Out Mental Health: Why mental health and sports: Why mental health in sports and exercise matters.” This 2-hour training, developed and run by clinical professionals, will be available privately and publicly from February 2021.

 

Safety:

At Mind HK, safety is always our top priority. Given the flu season and Coronavirus outbreak, we ask all ‘#MoveItHK’ participants to take extra safety precautions during this time and follow government guidelines. At all times, we encourage you to take extra precautions: wash your hands before and after working out, wear a mask when in the community or in crowded areas, avoid hiking in groups and in crowded areas, and refer to government guidelines: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html.

 

To find out more about the Move it for Mental Health supporting organisations:  https://www.moveithk.com/supportingorganisations

Find us on:

Move it Website: www.moveithk.com
Move it Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2LAuAO4Nb8&list=PLqGxi75ykJZng8I82WwrHJhLp9LeMj3Xr
Mind HK Website: mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency
Information on nature and mental health: https://mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/mental-health-a-to-z/nature-and-mental-health/how-can-nature-benefit-my-mental-health/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HongKongMind
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindhongkong
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mindhongkong

 

High-resolution images can be downloaded here:
Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TqlxfTyoXahQxZMr8a6pps6Jw3FXngx9?usp=sharing

 

About Mind Hong Kong:

Mind HK, established as Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited,” is a registered S88 charity (91/16471) committed to improving awareness and understanding of mental health in Hong Kong. They collaborate with other local and international mental health charities and provide online support and training programmes, based on global best practice, to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and equip them with the resources they need. Through collaborative research, Mind HK is leading the way in understanding mental health problems in the city and providing its population with the right support and resources.

Anyone in Hong Kong who needs help with their mental health can be assured that they are entitled to the full support of Mind HK irrespective of their gender, race, background or beliefs. To be effective and credible, Mind HK operates as a neutral and impartial humanitarian charity without any political affiliations or other conflicts of interest. The work we do, especially our research, is dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable groups and maintaining the best mental health possible for all of Hong Kong. We hope that anyone reporting or commenting on our work will respect and support our independence and neutrality.

 

About lululemon’s Here to Be Program:

Here to Be is lululemon’s social impact program. Together with our partners, we disrupt inequity in wellbeing through movement, mindfulness and advocacy.

 

Media Contacts:

For information or interviews, please contact Mind HK
Carol Liang, Communications Manager, Mind HK | [email protected]
Mind HK Media Team | [email protected]

 

For emergency support please contact the below services:

Samaritans 24-hour hotline (Multi-lingual): (852) 2896 0000
Samaritan Befrienders 24-hour hotline (Cantonese only): 2389 2222
Suicide Prevention Services 24-hour hotline (Catonese only): (852) 2382 0000
More crisis support services can be found here: mind.org.hk/find-help-now
More non-urgent support services can be found here: https://mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/community-directory/

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

PRESS RELEASE: Move It for Mental Health 2021

Exercise plays an important role in preventing and treating mental health problems, yet 80% of Hongkongers do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity. Mind HK encourages Hong Kong Kong residents to complete 50km in nature this February for their physical and mental health.

(Download full press release here)

#moveitformentalhealth #MoveItHK #50kmNatureChallenge 

(Hong Kong, 15 January 2021) For the fourth time, Mind Hong Kong (Mind HK) is running it’s Move it for Mental Health (#MoveItHK) campaign to raise awareness of how exercise impacts physical and mental health. This year’s campaign, supported by Here to Be, lululemon’s social impact program, challenges Hong Kong-ers to complete 50km in nature from February 1 to February 28 2021. Participants who complete and log 50km will be eligible for a prize. In line with this campaign, Mind HK will be launching its new sports and mental health training and hosting a webinar featuring personal mental health stories.

Join now via www.moveithk.com and watch their 2021 Move it for Mental Health video. 

Move it for Mental Health 2021 Campaign Video, produced by Capsule48 and featuring lululemon ambassadors Chris Tang, Athena Wong, Alexandria Cheng, and Kieran Rogers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2LAuAO4Nb8&list=PLqGxi75ykJZng8I82WwrHJhLp9LeMj3Xr

 

Mental and physical health are closely linked, yet over 80% of Hongkongers do not achieve the recommended level of weekly physical activity.  40% of Hong Kong is country parks and many can reach a country park within one hours' public transportation. However, according to a research report published by Trailwatch and School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong in 2019, 43.9% of Hongkongers do not visit country parks, and more than 10% have never visited a country park once. Evidence has shown that being in nature has positive impacts on both our physical and mental health - nature promotes physical activities, improves mood and self-esteem, reduces feelings of negative emotions, relieves stress and anxiety, and promotes brain restoration.

 

“Mind HK’s research in September 2020 revealed that 55% of people in Hong Kong felt their mental health had been negatively impacted during the pandemic. With current COVID-19 restrictions in place, many people have made the most out of a challenging situation and spent ample time outdoors hiking, trail walking, cycling, etc. We believe this is favourable towards both our physical and mental health and want people to realise the mental health benefits of exercising in nature. Being active in nature can help lower stress, increase productivity and improve overall mental well-being.” - Teresa Chan, Clinical Advisor, Mind HK

 

“In lululemon, we are committed to support the holistic well-being of our community. We believe physical health and mental health are equally important and happy to support our Here to Be partner Mind HK in advocating the importance of physical exercise for mental health .” - lululemon Hong Kong

 

How to get involved in the Move it for Mental Health 50km Nature challenge

To get involved, people should visit www.moveithk.com to learn more and sign up for the 50km Nature Challenge. Be it by walking, hiking, running, biking, participants should complete 50km+ in nature in the month of February, in order to win a prize from our supporting organisations. Participants can also become a #MoveItHK supporter, by fundraising for Mind HK. For more information, please contact [email protected]

Mental Health Stories event: January 2021

Three of Mind HK’s esteemed ambassadors will share their stories of mental health recovery and delve into how exercise has helped them through this process. This interactive webinar will include discussions on experiences of mental health in the workplace, managing a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, coping with anxiety and depression, managing an eating disorder, and the stress culture in Hong Kong. Event details can be found here.

Sports Training

In honour of #MoveItHK, Mind HK will be launching a new sports training, for fitness instructors and sports professionals, named “Working Out Mental Health: Why mental health and sports: Why mental health in sports and exercise matters.” This 2-hour training, developed and run by clinical professionals, will be available privately and publicly from February 2021.

 

Safety:

At Mind HK, safety is always our top priority. Given the flu season and Coronavirus outbreak, we ask all ‘#MoveItHK’ participants to take extra safety precautions during this time and follow government guidelines. At all times, we encourage you to take extra precautions: wash your hands before and after working out, wear a mask when in the community or in crowded areas, avoid hiking in groups and in crowded areas, and refer to government guidelines: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html.

 

To find out more about the Move it for Mental Health supporting organisations:  https://www.moveithk.com/supportingorganisations

Find us on:

Move it Website: www.moveithk.com
Move it Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2LAuAO4Nb8&list=PLqGxi75ykJZng8I82WwrHJhLp9LeMj3Xr
Mind HK Website: mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency
Information on nature and mental health: https://mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/mental-health-a-to-z/nature-and-mental-health/how-can-nature-benefit-my-mental-health/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HongKongMind
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindhongkong
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mindhongkong

 

High-resolution images can be downloaded here:
Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TqlxfTyoXahQxZMr8a6pps6Jw3FXngx9?usp=sharing

 

About Mind Hong Kong:

Mind HK, established as Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited,” is a registered S88 charity (91/16471) committed to improving awareness and understanding of mental health in Hong Kong. They collaborate with other local and international mental health charities and provide online support and training programmes, based on global best practice, to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and equip them with the resources they need. Through collaborative research, Mind HK is leading the way in understanding mental health problems in the city and providing its population with the right support and resources.

Anyone in Hong Kong who needs help with their mental health can be assured that they are entitled to the full support of Mind HK irrespective of their gender, race, background or beliefs. To be effective and credible, Mind HK operates as a neutral and impartial humanitarian charity without any political affiliations or other conflicts of interest. The work we do, especially our research, is dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable groups and maintaining the best mental health possible for all of Hong Kong. We hope that anyone reporting or commenting on our work will respect and support our independence and neutrality.

 

About lululemon’s Here to Be Program:

Here to Be is lululemon’s social impact program. Together with our partners, we disrupt inequity in wellbeing through movement, mindfulness and advocacy.

 

Media Contacts:

For information or interviews, please contact Mind HK
Carol Liang, Communications Manager, Mind HK | [email protected]
Mind HK Media Team | [email protected]

 

For emergency support please contact the below services:

Samaritans 24-hour hotline (Multi-lingual): (852) 2896 0000
Samaritan Befrienders 24-hour hotline (Cantonese only): 2389 2222
Suicide Prevention Services 24-hour hotline (Catonese only): (852) 2382 0000
More crisis support services can be found here: mind.org.hk/find-help-now
More non-urgent support services can be found here: https://mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/community-directory/