Mental health has long been a topic of concern in Hong Kong. This year, the waiting time for new cases at Psychiatry Specialist Out-patient Clinics reached as long as two years (104 weeks), despite the fact that research shows that early intervention is key to recovery from common mental health problems. As a local mental health charity, Mind HK has been actively promoting mental wellbeing and early intervention, aiming to provide psychological support to the wider community. In 2022, Mind HK launched the Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) programme, offering low-intensity, professional, one-on-one psychological support for individuals experiencing emotional difficulties.
To strengthen resources for the iACT programme, Mind HK will host its second annual online fundraising campaign this year, titled “Unseen Struggles“. The campaign invites 8 individuals who have experienced mental health challenges to share their personal stories. Through these heartfelt narratives, accompanied by personal photos and genuine reflections, the campaign aims to bring these “unseen struggles” to light, raise awareness, and deepen public understanding of mental health.
One such contributor is Yvette Kong, Mind HK Board Member, Olympic Swimmer and lululemon Mental Wellbeing Global Advisory Board Member, who shared. “During the holidays, it’s easy to overlook the struggles many face. I’ve been there, and letting the unseen be seen was my first step in overcoming adversities. It required courage to uncover my struggles and seek help from those around me. As my vulnerabilities were seen, so was my strength and authenticity. Together, we can turn hidden struggles into stories of hope and resilience”.
The iACT programme has offered hope for many who previously couldn’t access timely and affordable mental health support. Diza, a service user of iACT, had tried to seek help from various services but struggled to find non-Cantonese-speaking therapists, leaving her feeling isolated and unheard. Coming from an immigrant family and having experienced domestic violence in her childhood, she regularly suppressed her feelings and blamed herself for being sensitive. Through iACT, she learned to accept her emotions, finding relief and a path to healing. “It turns out that domestic violence is not normal, but my emotions are,” she shares.
The funds raised for the iACT programme will provide evidence-based, psychological interventions for individuals with mild to moderate depression or anxiety. Guided by Mind HK trained professional Wellbeing Practitioners, participants will learn how to acknowledge and accept their emotions and acquire tools to help manage them. Mind HK hopes that through iACT and campaigns like this, individuals struggling with mental health problems will feel safe to open up and engage in candid conversations. The nonprofit also wants to draw attention to the fact that the festive season may not be merry for everyone, with the added pressure to feel joyful it can be a difficult time emotionally.
As well as raising awareness of these real life stories, the campaign’s goal is to raise HKD 400,000 by the end of December, which will enable the organisation to provide essential psychological support to more than 165 people in need. Mind HK will continue to expand the iACT programme, offering evidence-based psychological therapy free of charge.
In collaboration with a local cross-University research team, Mind HK recently conducted an impact assessment of the effectiveness of the iACT programme from September 2023 to April 2024. A total of 493 individuals, with an average age of 32.6 years, received psychological assessments, with over 80% of the participants being female. The data reveals that over 65% of those seeking help presented with clinically mild to moderate symptoms of depression, while over 65% also showed symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety. Notably, nearly 40% of these individuals exhibited both depressive and anxious symptoms. The effectiveness assessment shows that over 70% of individuals with symptoms of depression or anxiety significantly improved after receiving treatment; nearly 65% of those with more severe symptoms recovered after two or more sessions.
From today, the public can donate via the Mind HK fundraising page on Give Asia. A donation of HKD 375 will support the provision of one free therapy session for someone in need. All funds raised will go directly to the iACT programme, helping more people receive the support they require. Donors who contribute over HKD 500 will be gifted a special Mind HK “Seasons Greetings” card designed by artist Erin Hung and adapted from her limited edition Snakes and Ladders series designed earlier this year especially for Mind HK.
Mind HK partner lululemon will generously provide match funding for the “Unseen Struggles” campaign, allowing donors to double their donation for the second week of the campaign.
For more information, please visit the “Unseen Struggles” fundraising page. We encourage everyone to participate in this meaningful campaign and support Mind HK’s work in improving mental health in our society!
Media Contact:
Chance Communications
Mandy Chan / Tommy Yuen
E: [email protected] / [email protected]
T: +852 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 in Hong Kong has to face mental health issues 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: www.mind.org.hk/en/.
For information about the campaign please visit: Give Asia
About the iACT Programme
The iACT programme focuses on training new mental health practitioners and improving accessibility to psychological support, providing free short-term mental health support to individuals of different ages in Hong Kong. In 2023-2024, 21 organisations are participating in the programme, referring individuals in need of psychological support. Mind HK believes that as psychological support becomes more widespread, the mental health of Hong Kong residents will improve. To date, the iACT programme has trained nearly 130 Wellbeing Practitioners, who have delivered more than 8200 psychological support sessions to more than 4700 people facing mental health problems.
For more details, please visit www.iact.hk.
Mind HK Social Media Pages:
Mind HK Facebook: www.facebook.com/HongKongMind/
Mind HK Instagram: www.instagram.com/mindhongkong/
