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[PRESS RELEASE] Mind HK announces new exhibition “Refraction – A Journey of Our Mind” – A 5th-anniversary showcase of the “More Than a Label” anti-stigma campaign, featuring collective stories of recovery, free guided tours and ambassador sharing sessions

[14 April 2026, Hong Kong] Mind HK’s “More Than a Label” anti-stigma campaign marks its fifth anniversary this year. Since its launch, the campaign has trained more than 190 Mental Health Ambassadors – individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges – to safely and openly share their recovery journeys. These powerful stories help the public challenge stigma, dismantle labels, and address and reshape misconceptions around mental illness. The campaign is supported by The Keswick

[PRESS RELEASE] Manulife Partners with Mind HK to Establish New Wellbeing Consultation Hub in Mong Kok

Manulife Partners with Mind HK to Establish New Wellbeing Consultation Hub in Mong Kok Free one-on-one, in-person mental health consultations to enhance community access to timely psychological support (For Immediate Release, 9 April 2026) – Hong Kong – Manulife Hong Kong (“Manulife”) today announced an expansion of its long‑standing partnership with its strategic charity partner Mind HK, with the establishment of a new in-person Wellbeing Consultation Hub in Mong Kok, providing free one-on-one mental health

[PRESS RELEASE] Nearly Half of Hongkongers Show Signs of Depression, Anxiety, or Both, Co-Study by Mind HK and Manulife Hong Kong Estimates

Nearly Half of Hongkongers Show Signs of Depression, Anxiety, or Both,Co-Study by Mind HK and Manulife Hong Kong Estimates The Hong Kong International Mental Health Conference 2025, organized by Mind HK and supported by headline sponsor Manulife, will convene global experts to address critical support gaps. (For Immediate Release, 29 September 2025) – Hong Kong – It is estimated that 46% of Hongkongers have mild to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or both, with more

[PRESS RELEASE] Embark on a Journey to Reconnect with Inner Voices and Embrace Authentic Selves Mind HK presents interactive exhibition by its anti-stigma campaign “More Than a Label”

Embark on a Journey to Reconnect with Inner Voices and Embrace Authentic SelvesMind HK presents interactive exhibition by its anti-stigma campaign “More Than a Label”  Click here for more photos  (31 Jul 2025, Hong Kong) From 1 August to 15 August, 2025, Mind HK’s anti-stigma campaign “More than a Label” invites you all to its annual exhibition in Wan Chai—an immersive journey into your inner world. With the long-term support and sponsorship of MINDSET (the

[PRESS RELEASE] Mind HK and Mannings Celebrate One Year of Their Wellbeing Check-In Service at Selected Stores

Mind HK and Mannings Celebrate One Year ofTheir Wellbeing Check-In Service at Selected StoresNearly 500 access free in-store psychological consultations addressing critical gaps in community support     (12 May 2025, Hong Kong) Over half of the population in Hong Kong is experiencing mild to severe depressive symptoms1—and overall depression rates are on the rise.  Local mental health charity, Mind HK, and Mannings have completed the first year of their groundbreaking “Wellbeing Check-in” service. This

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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 struggles.

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 and Mannings Celebrate One Year of Their Wellbeing Check-In Service at Selected Stores

Mind HK and Mannings Celebrate One Year of
Their Wellbeing Check-In Service at Selected Stores
Nearly 500 access free in-store psychological consultations addressing critical gaps in community support

 

 

(12 May 2025, Hong Kong) Over half of the population in Hong Kong is experiencing mild to severe depressive symptoms1—and overall depression rates are on the rise.  Local mental health charity, Mind HK, and Mannings have completed the first year of their groundbreaking "Wellbeing Check-in" service. This initiative provides free, confidential psychological consultations at five Mannings locations -- in its first year, it has helped nearly 500 service users who might otherwise face long public healthcare waiting times or prohibitive private consultation costs2. Through this programme, their goal is to make access to care easier for all who need it. 

This pioneering cross-sector partnership has helped Hong Kong citizens facing emotional challenges, with many expressing that their lack of support system and understanding of their own emotional needs motivated them to sign up for the service. 

Supporting nearly 500 Service Users in Its First Year

A survey conducted in March 2024 by Mind HK revealed that 59% of respondents facing mental health challenges avoided seeking help due to financial concerns, while 39% were unsure where to find appropriate support. These findings prompted Mind HK and Mannings to introduce their free “Wellbeing Check-in” service in selected Mannings stores in April 2024.

As of 18 April 2025, the Mind HK Wellbeing Practitioners in Mannings had assisted 490 adults, including 310 who attended one-off Wellbeing Check-in consultations and 100 who engaged in short-term psychological support, amounting to a total of 700 sessions. Wellbeing Check-in is a one-time, 45-minute consultation for people to better understand their current wellbeing status and emotional needs. These free psychological sessions have provided critical guidance to service users navigating mental difficulties.

 

Professional Support to Voice Feelings and Ease Emotional Burden

The wellbeing check-in service offers a safe space where people with emotional distress can share their concerns in a non-traditional, accessible setting. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners offer professional guidance to help service users understand their emotions and build practical coping skills with a caring and empathetic attitude. Many service users noted how this approach helped reduce the stigma often associated with seeking help and empowered them to consider further psychological support to enhance their mental wellbeing.

One service user said, "I was deeply grateful for the understanding and professional support from the Wellbeing Practitioner. The session helped me to ease my emotional burden, gain self-awareness, and feel truly understood. I also appreciated the flexibility and convenience of the service hours. I sincerely hope this initiative continues to expand, reaching even more people in need”.

"Service users typically sought help because they 'didn't know who to turn to' or were 'uncertain whether their situation required professional assistance,' observed Jacky, a Wellbeing Practitioner under the programme. Most service users reported positive outcomes—feeling genuinely heard, gaining new understanding of their challenges, and feeling empowered to take steps toward additional support when needed."

 

Enhancing Mental Health Awareness and Reducing Stigma

Overall, feedback from service users has been extremely positive. Over 95% expressed a high level of satisfaction with the programme. Around 70% reported a better understanding of their mental health, and many learnt about additional community resources. This left them feeling empowered to manage their emotional wellbeing.

Mind HK Chief Executive Officer, Dr Candice Powell said, "Bringing mental health support into retail spaces represents a groundbreaking initiative in Hong Kong to enhance our city’s mental wellbeing. Through our collaboration with Mannings, we are proud to bring mental health services into community spaces, thus helping to break down barriers to accessing support services. Our findings indicated positive effects even for those receiving only one support session. We hope to  expand our reach to support more individuals in need and foster wider mental health awareness across our society".

Mind HK’s Ongoing Commitment to Accessible Mental Health Support

"Wellbeing Check-in" is one of the services provided by Mind HK. Besides, Mind HK also delivers evidence-based, low-intensity psychological support through  Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) programme launched in 2022 . To date, the initiative has trained 130 Wellbeing Practitioners and supported over 9,500 individuals.  The programme effectiveness assessment3 indicates that 70% of service users with symptoms of depression or anxiety experienced significant improvement after treatment, while 65% of those with more severe conditions were able to recover after two or more sessions.

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The free Wellbeing Check-in service is delivered by Wellbeing Practitioners who have completed at least 120 hours of professional training through Mind HK. After online registration, people can choose to meet their Wellbeing Practitioners at designated Mannings stores or online. Our Wellbeing Practitioners would continue to offer short-term psychological support to those assessed with mild to moderate depression and anxiety, they also connect users to appropriate community resources when more intensive support is needed.

The free in-person Wellbeing Check-in service is currently available at five selected Mannings branches in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, including Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay, the President Theatre in Causeway Bay, the IFC mall in Central, China Hong Kong City in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Metropolis Plaza in Sheung Shui. Online sessions are also available to ensure prompt and accessible mental health support for those in need. All consultations are held in the strictest privacy and are 100% confidential.  All personal information and conversations remain private. For more details about the services, please visit https://www.mind.org.hk/services/wellbeing-check-in/

 

1 According to a 2024 report by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, 52% of Hong Kong's population experiences depressive symptoms - from mild to clinically severe levels.
2 The Hospital Authority, 2024
3 Mind HK, 2024

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Media Contact:
Chance Communications
Mandy Chan / Tommy Yuen
E: mandy@chancecomm.com / tommy@chancecomm.com
T: 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 faces a mental health problem 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: https://www.mind.org.hk/.

About Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) programme
iACT stands for Improving Access to Community Therapies. Developed by Mind HK, iACT utilises an internationally recognised stepped care model that has been successfully implemented in various countries. This approach draws inspiration from the long-established Talking Therapies initiative in the UK (formerly known as the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, IAPT) and New Access in Australia, both designed to provide mental health support to those in need.

For more information about our services, please visit: https://www.mind.org.hk/services/all-services/ 

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