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[PRESS RELEASE] Mind HK to Celebrate its 5th Anniversary with Hong Kong’s First Ever Mental Health Restaurant Week 2022 

03/08/2023
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Food for Thought & Time to Talk!

Mind HK to Celebrate its 5th Anniversary with
Hong Kong’s First Ever Mental Health Restaurant Week 2022 

Dine Out at the City’s Favourite Restaurants and Support Mental Health this October

 

(Hong Kong, 5 October 2022) – For the past five years since its establishment in 2017,  the local mental health charity, Mind HK,  has been making every effort to ensure that no one in Hong Kong has to face mental health problems alone. It’s trained over 17,000 in mental health literacy, had over 1.5 million users visit its website for mental health resources and support, and trained 50 wellbeing practitioners to provide free mental health support to young people. Now, to celebrate its 5th Anniversary, the charity is presenting the city’s first-ever Mental Health Restaurant Week from 15 to 30 October 2022. Themed under “Food for Thought & Time to Talk”, the campaign is collaborating with over 50 of Hong Kong’s favourite restaurants and cafés to promote social connection and mental health awareness through food. 

 

Mind HK is inviting everyone to enjoy quality meals with their loved ones at these restaurants and eateries and help to make a lasting contribution to Hong Kong’s mental health. The proceeds raised from the campaign will be donated to support Mind HK in improving accessibility to complimentary or low-cost community-based mental health services for people in need.

 

A survey by Mind HK conducted in March 2022 showed that around 1 in 5 in Hong Kong are experiencing a mental health problem. Over 50% of respondents reported having poor mental well-being, according to the standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO – 5) Well-being Index. However, over 48% of respondents who had been diagnosed with a mental health problem reported that they had never disclosed their problem to anyone. This reflects a clear lack of understanding of mental health knowledge and also suggests a shortage of accessible, stigma-free, low-cost professional services in tackling the rising demand for mental health help. 

 

Hong Kong has gone through a difficult few years, and this restaurant week seeks to support the city as it reopens to the world and recovers from the direct and indirect effects of the COVID pandemic. Evidence shows that communal eating and eating out with family and friends can improve emotional well-being, and help make us feel happier and more satisfied with life which, in turn, benefits our mental health. It can also foster deeper family bonds, warmer friendships and better inter-community connections that people can depend on for mental support. 

 

Mind HK is joining hands with a wide array of dining outlets, ranging from eateries serving Hong Kong’s beloved Chinese, Western, Korean and Japanese cuisines, to bars and cafés across the city. The campaign encourages everyone to participate to support their own and others’ mental health through spending more quality time with people around them at the dining table. It also serves as a way to help the Food & Beverage sector get through the challenges in the wake of the pandemic. Highlighted eateries include, but are certainly not limited to Duddell’s, Louise, Ming Court (Wan Chai & Cordis), Fumi, Salisterra, Bedu, Matchali, MONMONO, Hjem, Cookie Department (DPT) and more. 


Dr Candice Powell, the CEO of Mind HK said, “Social connection is a pillar of lifestyle medicine for all ages – It is critical for promoting well-being and can also be a great social cure for mental ill-health. Dining together is our teams’ and Hong Kong’s most prized way of creating social connections. We are beyond grateful to all the restaurants across the city who are joining us in celebrating Mind HK’s 5th Anniversary in this way and in our efforts to support COVID recovery and the mental health of all in Hong Kong.”

 

Tiffany, a Mind HK ambassador and certified vegan chef and plant-based nutritionist said, “Happiness is eating together. Every ounce of support I found was at the dinner table. It is where we laugh, cry and yell at each other, but most importantly, it is where we bond and connect. Sometimes, just spending some quality time with some good company and warming comfort food  is the only therapy you need. It is through nourishing food and open conversations that we unearth and celebrate the common threads among us all.”

 

Chef Antimo Maria Merone, from Estro said, “The food and beverage business is a very satisfying and pressuring world at the same time. With irregular working hours and constant interaction with people, we, restaurant operators and owners have the duty to take care of our people and provide a healthy and safe working environment. “Mens sana in corpore sano (a sound mind in a sound body).”

 

Every meal purchased during the restaurant week is also a commitment to improving mental health support within the local community. With the generous support of all the participating restaurants, funds raised from the campaign will be donated to supporting the development of Mind HK’s Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT) initiative, which will involve training new therapists (Mind HK’s well-being practitioners) to provide free or low-cost mental health support to individuals in need in Hong Kong. Similar interventions overseas found that 50 – 70% achieve recovery status after treatment. This can help create a sustainable, long-term solution to addressing mental health problems in Hong Kong. 

 

Food for Thought & Time to Talk! Visit www.mentalhealthrestaurantweek.com to check out the full list of participating restaurants and make your reservations now. Treat your taste buds to the specially crafted signature delights from well-known chefs, and support Mind HK in advancing its mission to make mental health support more accessible in Hong Kong. To find out more about Mind HK and for charitable donations in honour of their 5th anniversary, please visit https://www.simplygiving.com/event/mindhkturns5.

 

-END-


Details about Mind HK Mental Health Restaurant Week 2022

Date: 15 – 30 October 2022 

For participating restaurants and more information about the campaign, please visit the official website: www.mentalhealthrestaurantweek.com

 

High Resolution Image to Download:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/x9a7yjfx1l087kirks5ff/h?dl=0&rlkey=wkx5mm2vtg2ha4kaobfv4nqtv

 

Press Enquiries:

Chance Communications

Jeff Chan / Chloe Hung 

E: [email protected]/ [email protected] 

T: +852 2509 3308


Mind HK
Carol Liang, Deputy CEO, Mind HK 

E: [email protected]

Emet So, Communications Coordinator, 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:
Facebook: @hongkongmind / Instagram: @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 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 HK to Celebrate its 5th Anniversary with Hong Kong’s First Ever Mental Health Restaurant Week 2022 

Food for Thought & Time to Talk!

Mind HK to Celebrate its 5th Anniversary with
Hong Kong’s First Ever Mental Health Restaurant Week 2022 

Dine Out at the City’s Favourite Restaurants and Support Mental Health this October

 

(Hong Kong, 5 October 2022) – For the past five years since its establishment in 2017,  the local mental health charity, Mind HK,  has been making every effort to ensure that no one in Hong Kong has to face mental health problems alone. It’s trained over 17,000 in mental health literacy, had over 1.5 million users visit its website for mental health resources and support, and trained 50 wellbeing practitioners to provide free mental health support to young people. Now, to celebrate its 5th Anniversary, the charity is presenting the city’s first-ever Mental Health Restaurant Week from 15 to 30 October 2022. Themed under “Food for Thought & Time to Talk”, the campaign is collaborating with over 50 of Hong Kong’s favourite restaurants and cafés to promote social connection and mental health awareness through food. 

 

Mind HK is inviting everyone to enjoy quality meals with their loved ones at these restaurants and eateries and help to make a lasting contribution to Hong Kong’s mental health. The proceeds raised from the campaign will be donated to support Mind HK in improving accessibility to complimentary or low-cost community-based mental health services for people in need.

 

A survey by Mind HK conducted in March 2022 showed that around 1 in 5 in Hong Kong are experiencing a mental health problem. Over 50% of respondents reported having poor mental well-being, according to the standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO – 5) Well-being Index. However, over 48% of respondents who had been diagnosed with a mental health problem reported that they had never disclosed their problem to anyone. This reflects a clear lack of understanding of mental health knowledge and also suggests a shortage of accessible, stigma-free, low-cost professional services in tackling the rising demand for mental health help. 

 

Hong Kong has gone through a difficult few years, and this restaurant week seeks to support the city as it reopens to the world and recovers from the direct and indirect effects of the COVID pandemic. Evidence shows that communal eating and eating out with family and friends can improve emotional well-being, and help make us feel happier and more satisfied with life which, in turn, benefits our mental health. It can also foster deeper family bonds, warmer friendships and better inter-community connections that people can depend on for mental support. 

 

Mind HK is joining hands with a wide array of dining outlets, ranging from eateries serving Hong Kong’s beloved Chinese, Western, Korean and Japanese cuisines, to bars and cafés across the city. The campaign encourages everyone to participate to support their own and others’ mental health through spending more quality time with people around them at the dining table. It also serves as a way to help the Food & Beverage sector get through the challenges in the wake of the pandemic. Highlighted eateries include, but are certainly not limited to Duddell’s, Louise, Ming Court (Wan Chai & Cordis), Fumi, Salisterra, Bedu, Matchali, MONMONO, Hjem, Cookie Department (DPT) and more. 


Dr Candice Powell, the CEO of Mind HK said, “Social connection is a pillar of lifestyle medicine for all ages – It is critical for promoting well-being and can also be a great social cure for mental ill-health. Dining together is our teams’ and Hong Kong’s most prized way of creating social connections. We are beyond grateful to all the restaurants across the city who are joining us in celebrating Mind HK’s 5th Anniversary in this way and in our efforts to support COVID recovery and the mental health of all in Hong Kong.”

 

Tiffany, a Mind HK ambassador and certified vegan chef and plant-based nutritionist said, “Happiness is eating together. Every ounce of support I found was at the dinner table. It is where we laugh, cry and yell at each other, but most importantly, it is where we bond and connect. Sometimes, just spending some quality time with some good company and warming comfort food  is the only therapy you need. It is through nourishing food and open conversations that we unearth and celebrate the common threads among us all.”

 

Chef Antimo Maria Merone, from Estro said, “The food and beverage business is a very satisfying and pressuring world at the same time. With irregular working hours and constant interaction with people, we, restaurant operators and owners have the duty to take care of our people and provide a healthy and safe working environment. “Mens sana in corpore sano (a sound mind in a sound body).”

 

Every meal purchased during the restaurant week is also a commitment to improving mental health support within the local community. With the generous support of all the participating restaurants, funds raised from the campaign will be donated to supporting the development of Mind HK’s Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT) initiative, which will involve training new therapists (Mind HK's well-being practitioners) to provide free or low-cost mental health support to individuals in need in Hong Kong. Similar interventions overseas found that 50 - 70% achieve recovery status after treatment. This can help create a sustainable, long-term solution to addressing mental health problems in Hong Kong. 

 

Food for Thought & Time to Talk! Visit www.mentalhealthrestaurantweek.com to check out the full list of participating restaurants and make your reservations now. Treat your taste buds to the specially crafted signature delights from well-known chefs, and support Mind HK in advancing its mission to make mental health support more accessible in Hong Kong. To find out more about Mind HK and for charitable donations in honour of their 5th anniversary, please visit https://www.simplygiving.com/event/mindhkturns5.

 

-END-


Details about Mind HK Mental Health Restaurant Week 2022

Date: 15 – 30 October 2022 

For participating restaurants and more information about the campaign, please visit the official website: www.mentalhealthrestaurantweek.com

 

High Resolution Image to Download:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/x9a7yjfx1l087kirks5ff/h?dl=0&rlkey=wkx5mm2vtg2ha4kaobfv4nqtv

 

Press Enquiries:

Chance Communications

Jeff Chan / Chloe Hung 

E: [email protected]/ [email protected] 

T: +852 2509 3308


Mind HK
Carol Liang, Deputy CEO, Mind HK 

E: [email protected]

Emet So, Communications Coordinator, 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:
Facebook: @hongkongmind / Instagram: @mindhongkong