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[ANNOUNCEMENT] Mind HK Launches “Unseen Struggles” Campaign to Share Personal Stories and Raise Funds for its Community iACT Programme Timely support for Mild to Moderate Mental Health Problems

01/12/2024
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Mental health has long been a topic of concern in Hong Kong. This year, the waiting time for new cases at Psychiatry Specialist Out-patient Clinics reached as long as two years (104 weeks), despite the fact that research shows that early intervention is key to recovery from common mental health problems. As a local mental health charity, Mind HK has been actively promoting mental wellbeing and early intervention, aiming to provide psychological support to the wider community. In 2022, Mind HK launched the Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) programme, offering low-intensity, professional, one-on-one psychological support for individuals experiencing emotional difficulties. 

To strengthen resources for the iACT programme, Mind HK will host its second annual online fundraising campaign this year, titled “Unseen Struggles“. The campaign invites 8 individuals who have experienced mental health challenges to share their personal stories. Through these heartfelt narratives, accompanied by personal photos and genuine reflections, the campaign aims to bring these “unseen struggles” to light, raise awareness, and deepen public understanding of mental health.

One such contributor is Yvette Kong, Mind HK Board Member, Olympic Swimmer and lululemon Mental Wellbeing Global Advisory Board Member, who shared. “During the holidays, it’s easy to overlook the struggles many face. I’ve been there, and letting the unseen be seen was my first step in overcoming adversities. It required courage to uncover my struggles and seek help from those around me. As my vulnerabilities were seen, so was my strength and authenticity. Together, we can turn hidden struggles into stories of hope and resilience”. 

The iACT programme has offered hope for many who previously couldn’t access timely and affordable mental health support. Diza, a service user of iACT,  had tried to seek help from various services but struggled to find non-Cantonese-speaking therapists, leaving her feeling isolated and unheard.  Coming from an immigrant family and having experienced domestic violence in her childhood, she regularly suppressed her feelings and blamed herself for being sensitive. Through iACT,  she learned to accept her emotions, finding relief and a path to healing. “It turns out that domestic violence is not normal, but my emotions are,” she shares. 

The funds raised for the iACT programme will provide evidence-based, psychological interventions for individuals with mild to moderate depression or anxiety. Guided by Mind HK trained professional Wellbeing Practitioners, participants will learn how to acknowledge and accept their emotions and acquire tools to help manage them. Mind HK hopes that through iACT and campaigns like this, individuals struggling with mental health problems will feel safe to open up and engage in candid conversations. The nonprofit also wants to draw attention to the fact that the festive season may not be merry for everyone, with the added pressure to feel joyful it can be a difficult time emotionally. 

As well as raising awareness of these real life stories, the campaign’s goal is to raise HKD 400,000 by the end of December, which will enable the organisation to provide essential psychological support to more than 165 people in need. Mind HK will continue to expand the iACT programme, offering evidence-based psychological therapy free of charge. 

In collaboration with a local cross-University research team, Mind HK recently conducted an impact assessment of the effectiveness of the iACT programme from September 2023 to April 2024. A total of 493 individuals, with an average age of 32.6 years, received psychological assessments, with over 80% of the participants being female. The data reveals that over 65% of those seeking help presented with clinically mild to moderate symptoms of depression, while over 65% also showed symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety. Notably, nearly 40% of these individuals exhibited both depressive and anxious symptoms.  The effectiveness assessment shows that over 70% of individuals with symptoms of depression or anxiety significantly improved after receiving treatment; nearly 65% of those with more severe symptoms recovered after two or more sessions. 

From today, the public can donate via the Mind HK fundraising page on Give Asia. A donation of HKD 375 will support the provision of one free therapy session for someone in need. All funds raised will go directly to the iACT programme, helping more people receive the support they require. Donors who contribute over HKD 500 will be gifted a special Mind HK “Seasons Greetings” card designed by artist Erin Hung and adapted from her limited edition Snakes and Ladders series designed earlier this year especially for Mind HK. 

Mind HK partner lululemon will generously provide match funding for the “Unseen Struggles” campaign, allowing donors to double their donation for the second week of the campaign.

For more information, please visit the “Unseen Struggles” fundraising page. We encourage everyone to participate in this meaningful campaign and support Mind HK’s work in improving mental health in our society!

 

Media Contact:
 Chance Communications
 Mandy Chan / Tommy Yuen
 E: [email protected] / [email protected]
 T: +852 2509 3308

About Mind HK
Mind HK, officially known as Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited, is a registered charity under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (91/16471), established in 2017. Our mission is to ensure that no one in Hong Kong has to face mental health issues alone. Mind HK raises public awareness of mental health and works to eliminate stigma through various resources, training, outreach activities, and programmes, aiming for universal mental health. Through current collaborations and research, Mind HK aspires to make Hong Kong a global leader and regional model in the field of public mental health. 

For more information about our work, vision, and mission, please visit our website: www.mind.org.hk/en/.

For information about the campaign please visit: Give Asia 

About the iACT Programme
The iACT programme focuses on training new mental health practitioners and improving accessibility to psychological support, providing free short-term mental health support to individuals of different ages in Hong Kong. In 2023-2024, 21 organisations are participating in the programme, referring individuals in need of psychological support. Mind HK believes that as psychological support becomes more widespread, the mental health of Hong Kong residents will improve. To date, the iACT programme has trained nearly 130 Wellbeing Practitioners, who have delivered more than 8200 psychological support sessions to more than 4700 people facing mental health problems.

 For more details, please visit www.iact.hk.

Mind HK Social Media Pages:
 Mind HK Facebook: www.facebook.com/HongKongMind/
 Mind HK Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindhongkong/

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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.

[ANNOUNCEMENT] Mind HK Launches “Unseen Struggles” Campaign to Share Personal Stories and Raise Funds for its Community iACT Programme Timely support for Mild to Moderate Mental Health Problems

Mental health has long been a topic of concern in Hong Kong. This year, the waiting time for new cases at Psychiatry Specialist Out-patient Clinics reached as long as two years (104 weeks), despite the fact that research shows that early intervention is key to recovery from common mental health problems. As a local mental health charity, Mind HK has been actively promoting mental wellbeing and early intervention, aiming to provide psychological support to the wider community. In 2022, Mind HK launched the Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) programme, offering low-intensity, professional, one-on-one psychological support for individuals experiencing emotional difficulties. 

To strengthen resources for the iACT programme, Mind HK will host its second annual online fundraising campaign this year, titled "Unseen Struggles". The campaign invites 8 individuals who have experienced mental health challenges to share their personal stories. Through these heartfelt narratives, accompanied by personal photos and genuine reflections, the campaign aims to bring these "unseen struggles" to light, raise awareness, and deepen public understanding of mental health.

One such contributor is Yvette Kong, Mind HK Board Member, Olympic Swimmer and lululemon Mental Wellbeing Global Advisory Board Member, who shared. "During the holidays, it’s easy to overlook the struggles many face. I've been there, and letting the unseen be seen was my first step in overcoming adversities. It required courage to uncover my struggles and seek help from those around me. As my vulnerabilities were seen, so was my strength and authenticity. Together, we can turn hidden struggles into stories of hope and resilience". 

The iACT programme has offered hope for many who previously couldn't access timely and affordable mental health support. Diza, a service user of iACT,  had tried to seek help from various services but struggled to find non-Cantonese-speaking therapists, leaving her feeling isolated and unheard.  Coming from an immigrant family and having experienced domestic violence in her childhood, she regularly suppressed her feelings and blamed herself for being sensitive. Through iACT,  she learned to accept her emotions, finding relief and a path to healing. "It turns out that domestic violence is not normal, but my emotions are," she shares. 

The funds raised for the iACT programme will provide evidence-based, psychological interventions for individuals with mild to moderate depression or anxiety. Guided by Mind HK trained professional Wellbeing Practitioners, participants will learn how to acknowledge and accept their emotions and acquire tools to help manage them. Mind HK hopes that through iACT and campaigns like this, individuals struggling with mental health problems will feel safe to open up and engage in candid conversations. The nonprofit also wants to draw attention to the fact that the festive season may not be merry for everyone, with the added pressure to feel joyful it can be a difficult time emotionally. 

As well as raising awareness of these real life stories, the campaign’s goal is to raise HKD 400,000 by the end of December, which will enable the organisation to provide essential psychological support to more than 165 people in need. Mind HK will continue to expand the iACT programme, offering evidence-based psychological therapy free of charge. 

In collaboration with a local cross-University research team, Mind HK recently conducted an impact assessment of the effectiveness of the iACT programme from September 2023 to April 2024. A total of 493 individuals, with an average age of 32.6 years, received psychological assessments, with over 80% of the participants being female. The data reveals that over 65% of those seeking help presented with clinically mild to moderate symptoms of depression, while over 65% also showed symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety. Notably, nearly 40% of these individuals exhibited both depressive and anxious symptoms.  The effectiveness assessment shows that over 70% of individuals with symptoms of depression or anxiety significantly improved after receiving treatment; nearly 65% of those with more severe symptoms recovered after two or more sessions. 

From today, the public can donate via the Mind HK fundraising page on Give Asia. A donation of HKD 375 will support the provision of one free therapy session for someone in need. All funds raised will go directly to the iACT programme, helping more people receive the support they require. Donors who contribute over HKD 500 will be gifted a special Mind HK “Seasons Greetings” card designed by artist Erin Hung and adapted from her limited edition Snakes and Ladders series designed earlier this year especially for Mind HK. 

Mind HK partner lululemon will generously provide match funding for the “Unseen Struggles” campaign, allowing donors to double their donation for the second week of the campaign.

For more information, please visit the "Unseen Struggles" fundraising page. We encourage everyone to participate in this meaningful campaign and support Mind HK's work in improving mental health in our society!

 

Media Contact:
 Chance Communications
 Mandy Chan / Tommy Yuen
 E: [email protected] / [email protected]
 T: +852 2509 3308

About Mind HK
Mind HK, officially known as Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited, is a registered charity under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (91/16471), established in 2017. Our mission is to ensure that no one in Hong Kong has to face mental health issues alone. Mind HK raises public awareness of mental health and works to eliminate stigma through various resources, training, outreach activities, and programmes, aiming for universal mental health. Through current collaborations and research, Mind HK aspires to make Hong Kong a global leader and regional model in the field of public mental health. 

For more information about our work, vision, and mission, please visit our website: www.mind.org.hk/en/.

For information about the campaign please visit: Give Asia 

About the iACT Programme
The iACT programme focuses on training new mental health practitioners and improving accessibility to psychological support, providing free short-term mental health support to individuals of different ages in Hong Kong. In 2023-2024, 21 organisations are participating in the programme, referring individuals in need of psychological support. Mind HK believes that as psychological support becomes more widespread, the mental health of Hong Kong residents will improve. To date, the iACT programme has trained nearly 130 Wellbeing Practitioners, who have delivered more than 8200 psychological support sessions to more than 4700 people facing mental health problems.

 For more details, please visit www.iact.hk.

Mind HK Social Media Pages:
 Mind HK Facebook: www.facebook.com/HongKongMind/
 Mind HK Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindhongkong/