We had come to Hong Kong in the 1960s with my mother, brother and sister, in order to join my father who was already living here.

I went to St James' Settlement school in Wan Chai for my primary years. I was good at my school work and I also liked physical education. Actually, I don't remember hating anything in those days.

My secondary education was less happy. That wasn't just due to having encountered love but to the fact that I went to a private school.

There I found they didn't care about the work you did in school or what you wrote at home.

English was my worst subject - the teacher was just awful. She epitomised all that was wrong with the system. She didn't care about the students learning and she just read from books. The result was that it didn't engage the interest of any of us. Chinese, however, I found a lot easier.

I was one of those popular students. I was active both in and outside of school. I loved going to movies and to parties, swimming in Victoria Park and going on picnics. That part at least was fun.

I'd always wanted to be a model but knew that wouldn't happen as I wasn't tall enough. So it was show business that beckoned at the age of 17. I wanted not only to be an artist but to be a star! I thought it'd be the kind of career that would be interesting and fulfilling.

I was accepted on a training course and I learned how to improve not only my appearance but the way I held myself. I also had to work on my communication skills.

That led to my appearing in beauty pageants and I was the first winner of Miss Beach on RTV, the forerunner of ATV. In fact, it was the first real step to becoming an artist and I knew then I wouldn't continue my education.

Of course, when you become an artist there is a feeling of wanting to be perfect, but it was more to do with my own expectations and not anyone else's.

I found in the entertainment business that your relationships with those around you are very important. I learned when you're popular, people treat you better and overall it's been a good career.

It was in 2004 that I was inspired to set up the Joyful Mental Health Foundation, which is the only non-profit-making organisation in Hong Kong focusing on providing services for people who suffer from mood disorders.

The foundation arose from my being in an accident in 2001 when an advertising hoarding fell on me and, to my shock, affected my brain, leading to mood swings.

In the past, people thought this was all based on one's physical condition and didn't realise that it could be chemical, genetic or to do with the circumstances people live in. With the economic downturn, that's another reason for people to be affected, such as those with financial problems.

Joyful Health organises seminars in the community and schools, together with workshops. We also help undertake mental health courses for sufferers and their families as well as courses for doctors to enhance diagnosis and referrals.

Our hotline gives support and information to those who need it.

I've found that parents need help in how to bring up their children and to express their feelings . Children, too, need to speak up, not just to their parents but to their teachers. We should also remember, teenagers are still kids and are not adults yet.

We'd love to be able to fund another help centre in addition to the one we have in Tsz Wan Shan in Kowloon.

Ultimately, I believe the government has to realise that it does need to provide more help because education is a cornerstone of the community.

Victoria Lam Kin-ming is an artist and the founder of Joyful Mental Health Foundation - helpline 23012303. She was talking to David Phair.