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Press Release: Mind Hong Kong Unveils New Research Ahead of World Mental Health Day

10/10/2018
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Mind Hong Kong Unveils New Research Ahead of
World Mental Health Day on 10 October

New findings present a contrasting look into attitudes toward mental health in Hong Kong

 

(Hong Kong, 09 October 2018) – In a continuation of their commitment to alleviating the stigma surrounding mental health, Mind Hong Kong (Mind HK) have released new statistics from a large-scale survey on attitudes towards mental health in Hong Kong. The research surveyed 1,210 randomly selected adults across all regions of Hong Kong on their attitudes and knowledge of mental health in the city, using three internationally validated questionnaires.

These selected results are unveiled just in time for World Mental Health Day on Wednesday, 10 October, and provide insight into the full findings which will be released later this year.

 

  1. Under 30% of respondents would be willing to live with someone with a mental health

problem in the future (29%), however around two thirds of respondents would stay

friends with someone if they developed a mental health problem in the future (64.8%).

  1. Over 40% of respondents believed that one of the main causes of mental illness was a

lack of self-discipline and willpower (41%).

  1. Almost two thirds of respondents felt that it was easy to tell people with a mental illness

apart from perceived ‘normal’ people (61.4%).

  1. Despite this, most respondents felt that mental illness is like any other illness

(89.4%). Similar levels believed that virtually anyone could become mentally ill (87%).

  1. The large majority of respondents believed that attitudes towards mental illness

needed to change. 89% agree that there is a need to adopt a far more tolerant

attitude toward people with mental illness.

  1. When asked about support systems, nearly three quarters of respondents stated that

their workplaces did not provide any programmes of support for mental health needs for

staff (73.4%). Around 60% of respondents stated that they did not know of any other

sources of support for mental health apart from hospitals (60.4%).

 

The in-depth research commissioned by Mind HK was conducted in collaboration with Hong Kong University, the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King’s College London) and Time to Change UK, and funded by Aetna International.

 

“Mental illness is something we should and need to be talking about more,” says Kevin Jones, Chief Executive of Aetna Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited. “We believe that everyone is equally deserving of affordable and accessible treatment for mental issues – as well as support from their employers, colleagues, families, and friends.”

 

“There is a clear need to change our attitudes toward mental health, in order to shift public perceptions and break down the stigma around it. Everyone facing a mental health problem should have an equal chance of living their best selves.” – Yvette Kong, Hong Kong Olympic Swimmer

 

Alongside this research, Mind HK have recently launched their #LetsTalk campaign, which asks for citywide community action to transform public perceptions around mental health. To get involved, anyone is encouraged to share an image of themselves or in a group with the hashtag #LetsTalk or #一齊傾 inside a speech bubble and tag back to #LetsTalk #一齊傾 #MindHK. This simple and positive way to increase conversation and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health problems could save a life.

 

“The first step to reducing stigma around mental health problems is by increasing conversation. In Hong Kong, we don’t talk openly enough about mental health problems and therefore the stigma is ever-present. The #LetsTalk campaign aims to raise awareness and increase understanding of how you can help. It’s time to start talking,” said Hannah Reidy, CEO of Mind HK.

 

-END-

 

Images:

High-resolution images can be downloaded here:
Link: gallery.sinclaircomms.com 
Password: talkofthetown

 

About Mind Hong Kong:

Mind Hong Kong is an initiative formed out of the Patient Care Foundation. It is committed to improving awareness and understanding of mental health in Hong Kong. They provide online support and interventions, based on global best practices to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and to equip them with the resources they need. Through collaborative research Mind Hong Kong are leading the way in understanding mental health problems in the city and providing its population with the right support and resources.

 

Join the conversation on:
Website: www.mind.org.hk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HongKongMind
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindhongkong

 

Media Contacts:
For information or interviews, please contact Sinclair
Annabel Lee                           |  [email protected] |  (852) 9829 1206

Kelly Chan                               |  [email protected]        |  (852) 6825 4496

 

For emergency support please contact the below services:

Samaritans 24-hour hotline: (852) 2896 0000

Suicide Prevention Services 24-hour hotline: (852) 2382 0000

More crisis support services can be found here: mind.org.hk/find-help-now

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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: Mind Hong Kong Unveils New Research Ahead of World Mental Health Day

Mind Hong Kong Unveils New Research Ahead of
World Mental Health Day on 10 October

New findings present a contrasting look into attitudes toward mental health in Hong Kong

 

(Hong Kong, 09 October 2018) – In a continuation of their commitment to alleviating the stigma surrounding mental health, Mind Hong Kong (Mind HK) have released new statistics from a large-scale survey on attitudes towards mental health in Hong Kong. The research surveyed 1,210 randomly selected adults across all regions of Hong Kong on their attitudes and knowledge of mental health in the city, using three internationally validated questionnaires.

These selected results are unveiled just in time for World Mental Health Day on Wednesday, 10 October, and provide insight into the full findings which will be released later this year.

 

  1. Under 30% of respondents would be willing to live with someone with a mental health

problem in the future (29%), however around two thirds of respondents would stay

friends with someone if they developed a mental health problem in the future (64.8%).

  1. Over 40% of respondents believed that one of the main causes of mental illness was a

lack of self-discipline and willpower (41%).

  1. Almost two thirds of respondents felt that it was easy to tell people with a mental illness

apart from perceived ‘normal’ people (61.4%).

  1. Despite this, most respondents felt that mental illness is like any other illness

(89.4%). Similar levels believed that virtually anyone could become mentally ill (87%).

  1. The large majority of respondents believed that attitudes towards mental illness

needed to change. 89% agree that there is a need to adopt a far more tolerant

attitude toward people with mental illness.

  1. When asked about support systems, nearly three quarters of respondents stated that

their workplaces did not provide any programmes of support for mental health needs for

staff (73.4%). Around 60% of respondents stated that they did not know of any other

sources of support for mental health apart from hospitals (60.4%).

 

The in-depth research commissioned by Mind HK was conducted in collaboration with Hong Kong University, the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (King’s College London) and Time to Change UK, and funded by Aetna International.

 

“Mental illness is something we should and need to be talking about more,” says Kevin Jones, Chief Executive of Aetna Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited. “We believe that everyone is equally deserving of affordable and accessible treatment for mental issues - as well as support from their employers, colleagues, families, and friends.”

 

"There is a clear need to change our attitudes toward mental health, in order to shift public perceptions and break down the stigma around it. Everyone facing a mental health problem should have an equal chance of living their best selves." – Yvette Kong, Hong Kong Olympic Swimmer

 

Alongside this research, Mind HK have recently launched their #LetsTalk campaign, which asks for citywide community action to transform public perceptions around mental health. To get involved, anyone is encouraged to share an image of themselves or in a group with the hashtag #LetsTalk or #一齊傾 inside a speech bubble and tag back to #LetsTalk #一齊傾 #MindHK. This simple and positive way to increase conversation and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health problems could save a life.

 

“The first step to reducing stigma around mental health problems is by increasing conversation. In Hong Kong, we don’t talk openly enough about mental health problems and therefore the stigma is ever-present. The #LetsTalk campaign aims to raise awareness and increase understanding of how you can help. It’s time to start talking,” said Hannah Reidy, CEO of Mind HK.

 

-END-

 

Images:

High-resolution images can be downloaded here:
Link: gallery.sinclaircomms.com 
Password: talkofthetown

 

About Mind Hong Kong:

Mind Hong Kong is an initiative formed out of the Patient Care Foundation. It is committed to improving awareness and understanding of mental health in Hong Kong. They provide online support and interventions, based on global best practices to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and to equip them with the resources they need. Through collaborative research Mind Hong Kong are leading the way in understanding mental health problems in the city and providing its population with the right support and resources.

 

Join the conversation on:
Website: www.mind.org.hk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HongKongMind
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindhongkong

 

Media Contacts:
For information or interviews, please contact Sinclair
Annabel Lee                           |  [email protected] |  (852) 9829 1206

Kelly Chan                               |  [email protected]        |  (852) 6825 4496

 

For emergency support please contact the below services:

Samaritans 24-hour hotline: (852) 2896 0000

Suicide Prevention Services 24-hour hotline: (852) 2382 0000

More crisis support services can be found here: mind.org.hk/find-help-now