SOTY 22/23: Best Improvement winner overcomes adversity to become mental health advocate
- Chong Hei-chit, a recent St Mark’s School graduate, struggled with her bipolar disorder during secondary school, which sent her into low moods and hurt her academics
- She hopes to become a legal professional and encourages others to reach out if they are struggling
Chong Hei-chit, a St Mark’s School graduate, was named the Best Improvement winner at the Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards. Photo: HandoutChong Hei-chit, 18, recounted her experience of riding an emotional roller coaster in 2021.
It started with a profound surge of energy during a summer camp, during which she was able to go without sleep for three days, said Chong, who recently graduated from St Mark’s School in the Eastern district.
“At that time, I didn’t perceive any problem because I was so happy. It felt like every day was filled with happiness,” she said.
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“When I opened the window, everything appeared colourful and intensely vivid. Even an ordinary white wall seemed to have a Disney-like quality, a shade of off-white.”
She even engaged in excessive messaging with newly made friends on WhatsApp.
However, this was followed by a period of low mood and reduced appetite that significantly affected her life. After assessment, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
“My mood could switch every 30 minutes. I might be laughing one moment and burst into tears the next. Five minutes later, I might lose control and feel an intense excitement. I don’t like that feeling,” she said.
There was a time when she resisted entering the classroom because she didn’t want to be around her classmates.
Fortunately, she had the support of her school, which helped her through the challenges.
“The school arranged for me to study in the self-study room. So, when these unstable mood episodes occurred, I would usually be in the medical room, in tears.”
Today, Chong is a law student at Chinese University of Hong Kong, aspiring to be a legal professional and an advocate for seeking professional help for mental health issues.
“I used to be a perfectionist, but having bipolar disorder prompted me to learn to embrace imperfections,” said Chong, who won the Best Improvement Category of the Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards.
“Many people refrain from seeking assistance, yet medication can swiftly alleviate the burden, preventing self-harm.”
The judging panel said Chong is a powerful example of how the human spirit can defy adversity, overcoming even the most challenging obstacles.
Before her mental condition, Chong was a frequent visitor to different hospitals during her secondary school years. She had been battling erythromelalgia, a rare condition that often causes episodes of burning pain and redness in the feet, hands, legs and even her face.
At worst, the condition left her unable to walk, leading her to spend months in hospital.
She also struggled with insomnia, gastrointestinal discomfort and occasional binge eating.
“I used to have two McDonald’s meal deals in a single lunch, followed by sushi a few hours later,” she recalled.
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All these setbacks were an extra burden on her academic performance, but she has managed to turn her life around.
“It’s OK to have these emotions, these thoughts, but you shouldn’t become consumed by them. I view this as a shift in mindset that has enabled me to persevere.”
Now, she wants to use her experience to help others who are facing similar problems.
The SOTY competition is organised by the South China Morning Post and sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.