Mind HK and MINDSET launch a pioneering programme to widen Hong Kong young people’s access to basic mental health support
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Young people in Hong Kong face high levels of stress, whether over parents’ expectations, academic performance, or future career options. Most mental health problems emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, yet, young people who are experiencing these difficulties can struggle to access support. This is particularly true for those experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems, as they are below the threshold to access services, yet their problems threaten to seriously affect their academic performance, relationships, future prospects and overall well-being. Mind HK, in collaboration with MINDSET Hong Kong, has sought to make a difference with the groundbreaking “Mind HK and MINDSET Youth Wellbeing Practitioner Training Pilot Programme”.
Findings from recent research commissioned by Mind HK shows that 74 percent of youth surveyed believe that more low-cost mental health services are needed for local young people. Early intervention is imperative, so that mild to moderate mental health issues do not deteriorate further.
High school student and Mind HK Youth Ambassador, Natalie Lam, says youth mental health matters as it is essential to young people’s overall well-being. “It is detrimental to our health when we are constantly in a poor headspace. It would affect our daily functioning.” In today’s world, mental health problems are often stigmatised and neglected, Lam notes. “More support is needed to show care and support towards local youth with mental health issues and encourage them to seek help.”
Echoing Lam’s sentiment is Zuhaa Khan, another Mind HK Youth ambassador currently studying at university. “The current resources are not sufficient to meet the high demand,” Khan says. “There is misinformation on the types of services available and many therapies are expensive.”
The Youth Wellbeing Practitioner (YWP) pilot programme has been designed to address the shared concerns among local youth, including Lam and Khan, over the lack of accessibility to mental health services for the city’s young people. Under the programme, a cohort of 50 Youth Wellbeing Practitioners (YWPs) will be trained through a fully-funded course, which will equip them with the skills to provide interventions to young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems. Hong Kong Baptist University will be the programme’s academic partner and King’s College London will play a supporting role.