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Student Life

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

How can I prepare? 

Deciding to study is a fantastic opportunity for new experiences, however the demands of student life can be a challenge. This section covers some of the things you may need to consider at the start of your student journey. 

Deciding to become a student 

There are many decisions to make before the studying begins that could have an impact on how enjoyable and worthwhile you find your course. 

You are likely to face decisions such as: what subject to study, what type of courses to take, and where?

It can also be worth attending open days to get a better insight into the subject, what teaching methods are used and to get a feel for the place of study. Open days tend to run throughout the year but it is worth checking the calendars of a few colleges or universities that you are interested in, as you may need to register for a place in advance. 

Whether to study close to home, to commute or to move somewhere new is another decision that you are likely to face when thinking about starting a new course. Check out Student Minds’ (UK-only) Transitions guide for some helpful advice on this. 

It may be that you decide university is not the right option for you. 

If you have a mental health condition you will also be considering how, when and if, to tell your place of study. 

Planning your healthcare 

If you’re currently receiving treatment for a mental health problem and you register with a new doctor, the support you get may change. You may have new assessments and your new GP may advise on a new treatment plan.

To minimise the disruption, it can help to plan early – even as soon as you’ve chosen a course or accepted a place. Talk to your current doctor about: 

  • the move and the implications for your treatment 
  • how your medical notes will be transferred and what they can do to ensure that your new doctor understands your medical needs 
  • reviewing any medication you are taking that may affect your studying 
  • write a summary letter about your medical history for your new doctor. 

Managing your finances 

Studying is likely to affect your personal finances. The money you receive and the way you get it may change. It is important to think about how you will pay for essentials like food, housing, tuition fees and course costs such as books and other equipment. 

The change in financial situation can be particularly difficult if you are a mature student who is used to earning a full-time wage, or if you have children or dependents that you support financially. You can find information about extra financial support you may be entitled to here. 

“I try to be sensible with my spending where possible – I always ensure I can afford to eat well and leave enough to treat myself from time to time.” 

Money worries may feel like more of a challenge if you don’t have financial support from your family. Take a look at the Hong Kong Government’s website for information about applying for financial assistance and support. 

Regardless of your situation, it can be useful to create a weekly or termly budget plan to help you keep track of your incomings and outgoings. Pick a method that you will find easy to use such as an app or spreadsheet – there are lots of templates online available for use. 

Check out the Investor and Financial Education Council, Student Finance Office, HKU’s page on managing finances for more advice on managing your finances. 

If you are living with a mental health condition it would also be worth taking a look at our money and mental health pages for lots of useful information. 

“I do part-time university with the Open University, so I have a full-time job alongside. It helps a lot.” 

Managing your studies 

You may be returning to education after a break or continuing on from school or college. Whatever your situation, you may find that you have more responsibility for your own study than you have been used to. This can provide flexibility in how you structure your day, but getting used to planning your own schedule can be a challenge. 

Many colleges and universities run study skills sessions for new students. These can be a great way of learning time management and effecting planning strategies as well understanding some of the possible requirements from your new course, such as how to write a research proposal or reference other studies correctly. Study skills tutors often work within the library setting, so consider visiting them when you start your course. 

“I try to take a step back and assess my workload, write a list and take it one step at a time.” 

What if things don’t go to plan? 

Sometimes things don’t go as you expected. This can be difficult, but it happens to everyone. You might find it helpful to: 

  • have a plan B, an alternate work schedule if your day or week’s routine is disrupted 
  • proactively schedule in ‘spare time’ so that you can catch up if necessary
  • talk to your tutor about extensions or flexible arrangements in advance, so that you feel comfortable talking to them if things are not going to plan.
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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 16 – 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.

How can I prepare?

How can I prepare? 

Deciding to study is a fantastic opportunity for new experiences, however the demands of student life can be a challenge. This section covers some of the things you may need to consider at the start of your student journey. 

Deciding to become a student 

There are many decisions to make before the studying begins that could have an impact on how enjoyable and worthwhile you find your course. 

You are likely to face decisions such as: what subject to study, what type of courses to take, and where?

It can also be worth attending open days to get a better insight into the subject, what teaching methods are used and to get a feel for the place of study. Open days tend to run throughout the year but it is worth checking the calendars of a few colleges or universities that you are interested in, as you may need to register for a place in advance. 

Whether to study close to home, to commute or to move somewhere new is another decision that you are likely to face when thinking about starting a new course. Check out Student Minds' (UK-only) Transitions guide for some helpful advice on this. 

It may be that you decide university is not the right option for you. 

If you have a mental health condition you will also be considering how, when and if, to tell your place of study. 

Planning your healthcare 

If you're currently receiving treatment for a mental health problem and you register with a new doctor, the support you get may change. You may have new assessments and your new GP may advise on a new treatment plan.

To minimise the disruption, it can help to plan early - even as soon as you've chosen a course or accepted a place. Talk to your current doctor about: 

  • the move and the implications for your treatment 
  • how your medical notes will be transferred and what they can do to ensure that your new doctor understands your medical needs 
  • reviewing any medication you are taking that may affect your studying 
  • write a summary letter about your medical history for your new doctor. 

Managing your finances 

Studying is likely to affect your personal finances. The money you receive and the way you get it may change. It is important to think about how you will pay for essentials like food, housing, tuition fees and course costs such as books and other equipment. 

The change in financial situation can be particularly difficult if you are a mature student who is used to earning a full-time wage, or if you have children or dependents that you support financially. You can find information about extra financial support you may be entitled to here. 

“I try to be sensible with my spending where possible – I always ensure I can afford to eat well and leave enough to treat myself from time to time.” 

Money worries may feel like more of a challenge if you don't have financial support from your family. Take a look at the Hong Kong Government’s website for information about applying for financial assistance and support. 

Regardless of your situation, it can be useful to create a weekly or termly budget plan to help you keep track of your incomings and outgoings. Pick a method that you will find easy to use such as an app or spreadsheet - there are lots of templates online available for use. 

Check out the Investor and Financial Education Council, Student Finance Office, HKU’s page on managing finances for more advice on managing your finances. 

If you are living with a mental health condition it would also be worth taking a look at our money and mental health pages for lots of useful information. 

“I do part-time university with the Open University, so I have a full-time job alongside. It helps a lot.” 

Managing your studies 

You may be returning to education after a break or continuing on from school or college. Whatever your situation, you may find that you have more responsibility for your own study than you have been used to. This can provide flexibility in how you structure your day, but getting used to planning your own schedule can be a challenge. 

Many colleges and universities run study skills sessions for new students. These can be a great way of learning time management and effecting planning strategies as well understanding some of the possible requirements from your new course, such as how to write a research proposal or reference other studies correctly. Study skills tutors often work within the library setting, so consider visiting them when you start your course. 

“I try to take a step back and assess my workload, write a list and take it one step at a time.” 

What if things don't go to plan? 

Sometimes things don't go as you expected. This can be difficult, but it happens to everyone. You might find it helpful to: 

  • have a plan B, an alternate work schedule if your day or week's routine is disrupted 
  • proactively schedule in 'spare time' so that you can catch up if necessary
  • talk to your tutor about extensions or flexible arrangements in advance, so that you feel comfortable talking to them if things are not going to plan.