Join us for an interactive discussion on bipolar disorder, featuring a Clinical Psychologist and a Mind HK Ambassador: click here to register

About this Event

As part of World Bipolar Day, Mind HK’s free virtual panel will include an open discussion on bipolar disorder. Joining the discussion are Odile Thiang, Mind HK Anti-stigma Programme Manager and Clinical Advisor, Dr Hannah Sugarman, a clinical psychologist and Mind HK Clinical Advisor, and Coby, a Mind HK Ambassador, who will share her own experiences with the diagnosis. The panel will touch on bipolar disorders in Hong Kong and Coby’s recovery journey.

Time: 6-7 pm

Date: March 30th, 2021

Price: Free

Venue: Zoom (we will share the link via email before the event)

Language: English

*This is a pilot session for Mind HK’s experts by experience programme. In order to take part in this event, we would appreciate it if you could take 2 minutes to fill out our pre- and post-event surveys. We appreciate all feedback!
Rundown:

1 – 1:15 pm: Introduction to bipolar disorder in Hong Kong

1:15 – 1:40 pm: Interactive conversation (see speakers below)

1:40 – 2 pm: Q&As

Questions? Email [email protected]

Bios:

Coby, Mind HK Ambassador

Coby is an Accountant for a French food export company. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018 and has been living in recovery for 1.5 years. She has a creative mind and enjoys watercolour painting, western cooking and gardening. Her dream is to use her experience to inspire others and reduce the stigma of mental illness.

Dr Hannah Sugarman, Clinical Psychologist and Mind HK Clinical Advisor

Dr Hannah Sugarman is a UK-trained Clinical Psychologist working in Hong Kong. Hannah works in clinical practice, providing talking therapy treatment for adults who are experiencing mental health problems. She has a special interest in the interaction between physical and mental health and is passionate about challenging the stigma around mental health. Hannah’s background is in neuropsychology and physical health settings, having worked previously in hospitals and community rehabilitation in the UK.

Hannah started volunteering with Mind HK when she first relocated to Hong Kong in 2017, arriving just in time for the Hong Kong Mental Health Conference and the launch of Mind HK. She was thrilled to get the opportunity to work with the charity on projects and campaigns addressing mental health awareness and challenging stigma, providing input to Mind HK on a voluntary basis. In March 2019, Hannah officially became part of the Mind HK team, working part-time as a Clinical Advisor.

Odile Thiang, Anti-Stigma Project Manager Mind HK (Moderator)

Odile has been involved with Mind HK since 2016. She is coordinating Mind’s anti-stigma projects and is actively involved in developing and delivering various training offerings. She is a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in child and adolescent care. She championed quality improvement initiatives in mental health care, where she developed and implemented a mental health clinical guideline and worked with community agencies to improve collaboration to provide seamless care for such a vulnerable population, in Toronto, Canada. Odile completed her Bachelor of Nursing as well as her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Masters Nursing degree at the University of Toronto.

Odile is currently a Child & Adolescent Teaching Fellow at the HK Polytechnic University School of Nursing. She is also a Clinical Care Coordinator with the Child Development Team, supporting collaborative developmental and mental health care to children and adolescents. Her extensive experience has allowed her to cultivate a strong focus in paediatric care, with a unique exposure to child and adolescent mental health.

Resources

To learn more about bipolar, please visit Mind HK’s A-Z resources: https://www.mind.org.hk/mental-health-a-to-z/bipolar-disorder/about-bipolar-disorder/

For urgent mental health support, please contact 999 or go to the nearest emergency room. More on urgent help here: https://www.mind.org.hk/find-help-now/

For non-urgent mental health support, please visit Mind HK’s Community Directory: https://www.mind.org.hk/community-directory/