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[PRESS RELEASE] Supporting mental well-being for all this holiday season! Mind HK enhances their “Help Me Virtual Assistant” with emotional check-in features and interactive self-help activities

20/12/2023
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Supporting mental well-being for all this holiday season!
Mind HK enhances their “Help Me Virtual Assistant”
with emotional check-in features and interactive self-help activities

(20th December 2023 – Hong Kong) – The holiday period is a time of joy and celebration for most of us. But for those who are lonely or grappling with depression and other mental health problems,  it can be a difficult time.

Alison Lee, Clinical Advisor at Mind HK, said: “Christmas is generally thought of as a time of joy and love, but for many people, it’s a time of loneliness. Some people live far away from their loved ones, while others dread going to holiday parties. We understand that you may not be alone, but holidays and festive seasons can be a lonely and difficult time for many.” 

In recognition of this, Mind HK, the local mental health charity, has taken significant steps in its mission to ensure that no one in Hong Kong faces mental health challenges alone. Among these steps, the charity has recently introduced an upgraded version of its bilingual “Help Me Virtual Assistant” (Help Me). This upgrade aims to enhance accessibility to mental health care support in  Hong Kong.

Initially introduced in 2020 through a partnership with the support of the family of the late Captain Laurence W. F. Grant, a former British Army officer who lived in Hong Kong and battled mental illness, “Help Me” functions as a bilingual chatbot system. By leveraging the power of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), users can swiftly access a variety of mental health information and receive efficient and timely support anytime and anywhere.

In addition to a new user interface, the latest version of “Help Me” has advanced the overall capabilities of the chatbot by integrating innovative features that aim to humanise the interaction, fostering a higher level of user engagement with personalised emotional support, encouraging individuals to prioritise and nurture their mental well-being actively.

Highlighted new features include the emotion check-in service that enables users to observe and assess their emotional state. This service empowers individuals to track their emotions on a daily basis, facilitating the identification and deeper understanding of their mental well-being. Additionally, it provides access to relevant mental health information, offering valuable resources to support users in their journey towards improved emotional health. 

In a more practical approach, “Help Me” also introduced a range of guided self-help activities based on proven therapeutic techniques, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which assists users in managing their emotions effectively. The activities include mindful breathing exercises, PAM (Pleasure, Achievement and Mastery) activities, situational self-compassion exercises, and more. For more details about Mind HK’s “Help Me” self-help activities, please refer to Appendix 1.

Matthew Wong, Programmes and Operations Manager at  Mind HK, said: “Stigma typically arises due to a lack of understanding perpetuated by misguided societal norms. Through education and engaging in honest and open dialogue, we can begin to combat stigma and create a more inclusive and compassionate environment. “Help Me” was developed with the intention of offering a platform for users to enquire about various aspects of mental health in a safe and non-prejudiced manner. Through “Help Me”, we aim to establish a venue where people can learn more about mental health, foster empathy, reduce stigma, and promote mental well-being for all.”

In the wake of unveiling the new features of “Help Me”, Mind HK will closely monitor user behaviour data, diligently review the content and user experience by collecting valuable user feedback, and continuously improve and explore innovative features for future implementation, supporting those in need within society further and beyond.

Join us in making a difference this holiday season by supporting Mind HK’s holiday appeal fundraising campaign. Your generous donation will help enhance and provide frontline support for youth who are facing mental health challenges. Together, we can create a positive impact and ensure that young individuals receive the care and resources they need to thrive. Donate today and help us make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Mind HK wishes everyone a happy holiday! 

-END-

Links to Mind HK’s “Help Me Virtual Assistant”
English: mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/help-me/

Traditional Chinese: mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/zh-hant/help-me/

Appendix 1: Mind HK ‘Help Me’ self-help activities include:

Mindfulness Exercise By using Mind HK’s Help Me Virtual Assistant
1. Mindful breathing

Mindful breathing is a technique that helps people to focus on the present moment, without judging anything, through breathing. It is helpful when we are feeling stressed or anxious. As our breathing relaxes, our muscles and mind also relax.

 With “Help Me”, users can carry out guided breathing exercises anywhere at any time of the day.
2. PAM activities (Pleasure, Achievement and Mastery Activities)

PAM stands for Pleasure, Achievement and Mastery. PAM activities are activities that can boost your happiness, help you find a sense of achievement, and make you feel grounded and in control.

 With “Help Me”, users can plan and generate their own unique PAM schedule.
3. Self-compassion exercise

Practising self-compassion can help us step away from our inner critic and introduce kindness.

 “Help Me” provides situational exercises for users to explore self-compassionate behaviours and attitudes in real life and help them learn how to replace self-criticism with constructive feedback.
4. Grounding exercise:

The grounding technique allows us to shift our attention back from the overwhelming emotions to the present moment and focus on our next steps.

 With “Help Me”, users are encouraged to manage anxiety and stress by focusing on breathing and senses through this exercise.

High-Resolution Images:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2ekpos7d5wbowb2f8jaul/h?rlkey=pctd4taktah1nxkur57s9zjtc&dl=0

Press Enquiries:

Chance Communications

Chloe Hung / Jeff Chan
E: [email protected] / [email protected]

T: +852 6334 6038

Mind HK
Carol Liang, Deputy CEO, Mind HK 

E: [email protected]

About Mind HK
Mind HK (Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited) is an S88 registered charity (91/16471), which was launched in 2017. The organisation’s vision is to ensure that no one in Hong Kong has to face a mental health problem alone. Through resources, training, and outreach campaigns and programmes, the work of Mind HK helps to raise awareness of mental health and reduce the associated stigma, with the aim of achieving the best mental health for all in Hong Kong. With existing collaboration and research efforts, Mind HK is here to support Hong Kong in becoming a global leader and regional model for public mental health. For more on their work, vision, and mission, please visit mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/. 


Mind HK’s Social Media Platforms: 

Mind HK’s Facebook: @hongkongmind /Mind HK’s Instagram: @mindhongkong / More Than a Label Instagram: @morethanalabelhk

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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] Supporting mental well-being for all this holiday season! Mind HK enhances their “Help Me Virtual Assistant” with emotional check-in features and interactive self-help activities

Supporting mental well-being for all this holiday season!
Mind HK enhances their “Help Me Virtual Assistant”
with emotional check-in features and interactive self-help activities

(20th December 2023 – Hong Kong) – The holiday period is a time of joy and celebration for most of us. But for those who are lonely or grappling with depression and other mental health problems,  it can be a difficult time.

Alison Lee, Clinical Advisor at Mind HK, said: “Christmas is generally thought of as a time of joy and love, but for many people, it's a time of loneliness. Some people live far away from their loved ones, while others dread going to holiday parties. We understand that you may not be alone, but holidays and festive seasons can be a lonely and difficult time for many.” 

In recognition of this, Mind HK, the local mental health charity, has taken significant steps in its mission to ensure that no one in Hong Kong faces mental health challenges alone. Among these steps, the charity has recently introduced an upgraded version of its bilingual “Help Me Virtual Assistant” (Help Me). This upgrade aims to enhance accessibility to mental health care support in  Hong Kong.

Initially introduced in 2020 through a partnership with the support of the family of the late Captain Laurence W. F. Grant, a former British Army officer who lived in Hong Kong and battled mental illness, “Help Me” functions as a bilingual chatbot system. By leveraging the power of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), users can swiftly access a variety of mental health information and receive efficient and timely support anytime and anywhere.

In addition to a new user interface, the latest version of “Help Me” has advanced the overall capabilities of the chatbot by integrating innovative features that aim to humanise the interaction, fostering a higher level of user engagement with personalised emotional support, encouraging individuals to prioritise and nurture their mental well-being actively.

Highlighted new features include the emotion check-in service that enables users to observe and assess their emotional state. This service empowers individuals to track their emotions on a daily basis, facilitating the identification and deeper understanding of their mental well-being. Additionally, it provides access to relevant mental health information, offering valuable resources to support users in their journey towards improved emotional health. 

In a more practical approach, “Help Me” also introduced a range of guided self-help activities based on proven therapeutic techniques, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which assists users in managing their emotions effectively. The activities include mindful breathing exercises, PAM (Pleasure, Achievement and Mastery) activities, situational self-compassion exercises, and more. For more details about Mind HK’s “Help Me” self-help activities, please refer to Appendix 1.

Matthew Wong, Programmes and Operations Manager at  Mind HK, said: “Stigma typically arises due to a lack of understanding perpetuated by misguided societal norms. Through education and engaging in honest and open dialogue, we can begin to combat stigma and create a more inclusive and compassionate environment. “Help Me” was developed with the intention of offering a platform for users to enquire about various aspects of mental health in a safe and non-prejudiced manner. Through “Help Me”, we aim to establish a venue where people can learn more about mental health, foster empathy, reduce stigma, and promote mental well-being for all.”

In the wake of unveiling the new features of “Help Me”, Mind HK will closely monitor user behaviour data, diligently review the content and user experience by collecting valuable user feedback, and continuously improve and explore innovative features for future implementation, supporting those in need within society further and beyond.

Join us in making a difference this holiday season by supporting Mind HK's holiday appeal fundraising campaign. Your generous donation will help enhance and provide frontline support for youth who are facing mental health challenges. Together, we can create a positive impact and ensure that young individuals receive the care and resources they need to thrive. Donate today and help us make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Mind HK wishes everyone a happy holiday! 

-END-

Links to Mind HK’s “Help Me Virtual Assistant”
English: mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/help-me/

Traditional Chinese: mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/zh-hant/help-me/

Appendix 1: Mind HK ‘Help Me’ self-help activities include:

Mindfulness Exercise By using Mind HK’s Help Me Virtual Assistant
1. Mindful breathing

Mindful breathing is a technique that helps people to focus on the present moment, without judging anything, through breathing. It is helpful when we are feeling stressed or anxious. As our breathing relaxes, our muscles and mind also relax.

 With “Help Me”, users can carry out guided breathing exercises anywhere at any time of the day.
2. PAM activities (Pleasure, Achievement and Mastery Activities)

PAM stands for Pleasure, Achievement and Mastery. PAM activities are activities that can boost your happiness, help you find a sense of achievement, and make you feel grounded and in control.

 With “Help Me”, users can plan and generate their own unique PAM schedule.
3. Self-compassion exercise

Practising self-compassion can help us step away from our inner critic and introduce kindness.

 “Help Me” provides situational exercises for users to explore self-compassionate behaviours and attitudes in real life and help them learn how to replace self-criticism with constructive feedback.
4. Grounding exercise:

The grounding technique allows us to shift our attention back from the overwhelming emotions to the present moment and focus on our next steps.

 With “Help Me”, users are encouraged to manage anxiety and stress by focusing on breathing and senses through this exercise.

High-Resolution Images:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2ekpos7d5wbowb2f8jaul/h?rlkey=pctd4taktah1nxkur57s9zjtc&dl=0

Press Enquiries:

Chance Communications

Chloe Hung / Jeff Chan
E: [email protected] / [email protected]

T: +852 6334 6038

Mind HK
Carol Liang, Deputy CEO, Mind HK 

E: [email protected]

About Mind HK
Mind HK (Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited) is an S88 registered charity (91/16471), which was launched in 2017. The organisation’s vision is to ensure that no one in Hong Kong has to face a mental health problem alone. Through resources, training, and outreach campaigns and programmes, the work of Mind HK helps to raise awareness of mental health and reduce the associated stigma, with the aim of achieving the best mental health for all in Hong Kong. With existing collaboration and research efforts, Mind HK is here to support Hong Kong in becoming a global leader and regional model for public mental health. For more on their work, vision, and mission, please visit mind-dev-2.digitalcandy.agency/. 


Mind HK’s Social Media Platforms: 

Mind HK’s Facebook: @hongkongmind /Mind HK’s Instagram: @mindhongkong / More Than a Label Instagram: @morethanalabelhk