Sharing one’s own mental health recovery story can reinforce feelings of strength, resilience and courage. It is one of the most effective methods of fighting against mental health stigma.
Join us at the Jockey Club Studio Theatre inside the Fringe Club on Tuesday 13th August 2024 for a brief networking event, followed by a mental health story sharing and discussion. Come join us in listening to our ambassadors share their perspectives on their mental health recovery journey from conditions like depression, trauma and high stress. Our ambassadors will share on the importance of safe spaces and how those spaces guided them through their mental health recovery.
The event is free entry but registration is required to allow us to have an approximate guest count. Donations are welcome and encouraged – all proceeds will go back to support Mind HK’s anti-stigma work.
Event details:
Date: Thursday, 8th August 2024
Time: 6:30PM – 8:00PM HKT (6:30-7PM networking event, 7PM-8PM mental health story sharing). There will also be time after the event until 9pm for networking.
Mode: In-person panel discussion
Location: Jockey Club Studio Theatre, Fringe Club
Guest: Claud (Mind HK Ambassador) , Kristeen (Mind HK Ambassador), Demi (Mind HK Ambassador)
Language: English
Price: The event is free entry, donations are welcome and encouraged – all proceeds will go back to support Mind HK’s anti-stigma work.
Sign Up Link: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/english-story-night-mental-health-journeys-hereandnow-tickets-951272209787
Guest Introduction:
Claud (Mind HK Ambassador)
I’m a survivor of adverse childhood experiences, complex trauma, sexual assault; I also enjoy singing in chorus, exploring art galleries and reading mysteries, and am neurodivergent. All of which are facets of me! Although my experiences impacted my mental health and physical health, struggling with a mishmash aftermath of depression, anxiety and trauma, fostered my passion to start speaking about the many sides to mental health struggles, in hopes of breaking the stigma and starting a real conversation about it. My journey to recovery taught me a lot, in particular, the fact that you’re here in the present moment means that you have been trying your best, because you have survived till today. To me, life is not about waiting for or getting to that light at the end of the tunnel, it’s about lighting up that tunnel yourself, along your way, with each step you take, whether forward or backwards, whichever direction!
Kristeen (Mind HK Ambassador)
Kristeen (she/her) is a Solutions Lead for a local business consultancy, where she implements sales and marketing automation for clients internationally. A Filipina born and raised in Hong Kong, she went through the local education system as an ethnic minority and hid her identity as a lesbian.
After decades of feeling “out of place”, she had a major depressive episode in college and sought counselling for the first time. In 2022, she received her ADHD diagnosis and in 2023, finally came out to her family. The biggest lesson she’s learned? Being authentic is a continuous process—the ups and downs of the journey are part of developing your inner peace.
Demi (Mind HK Ambassador)
Demi (they/she) is an anthropologist and DEI advocate who is on their recovery journey of anxiety and depression. Born in Taiwan and raised in The Netherlands, Demi has lived in Hong Kong for 5 years and uses their platform to support others facing similar struggles. They hope that by sharing her story, they can show others that they are not alone and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Moderator Introduction:
Odile Thiang, Lead Clinical Advisor (Training and Anti-stigma)
Odile has been involved with Mind HK since 2016, and was on the team that officially launched the charity at the 2017 Hong Kong Mental Health Conference. Odile is the lead clinical advisor for the Anti-Stigma Project, and a trainer. She was involved in the planning of the 2017 and 2020 Hong Kong Mental Health Conferences.
Odile is a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in child and adolescent care. Her commitment to serving marginalised communities lead her to work on the improvement of mental health care, and working with survivours of sexual assault and domestic violence as well as vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth. In Hong Kong she has focused her efforts on mental health and nursing education. Odile is currently also a Child & Adolescent Teaching Fellow at the HK Polytechnic University School of Nursing, as well as an Honorary Nurse Consultant at the Hong Kong’s Children’s Hospital. Her extensive experience has allowed her to cultivate a strong focus in paediatric care, with a unique exposure to child and adolescent mental health.
