How Hong Kong charity Mindset is promoting mental health in the city one step at a time

Each participant in Hong Kong’s annual Walk Up Jardine House event may try to reach the top first, but all work together towards a common goal: to support mental health in the city. This year, more than 1,500 people climbed 947 steps up the 49-floor skyscraper in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood, either live or virtually using a mobile app to track their progress. The live version of the event took place on October 12. Participants had the choice of joining a virtual race from September 8 to 22. The event celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. Since 1985, it has raised more than HK$61 million to support mental health advocacy and services in Hong Kong. It is now organised by the mental health charity Mindset, which was founded by the Jardine Matheson Group in 2002. Mental health is a growing area of concern in the city: about 46 per cent of Hongkongers have mild to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or both, with more than 16 per cent falling into the moderate to severe range, according to a recent survey by mental health charity Mind HK. Walk Up Jardine House is Mindset’s most high-profile initiative, but the volunteer-run non-profit organisation runs projects year-round in Hong Kong and Singapore to raise funds and provide hands-on mental health services. Mindset’s Health in Mind programme provides workshops for young people in Hong Kong to raise mental health awareness and combat stigma. More than 130,000 secondary students have taken part. The organisation also provides job opportunities for those who have recovered from mental health struggles, including at 7-Eleven and Mindbrew, Mindset’s cafe chain that offers barista training. “We’re always looking for sustainable initiatives,” says Sherry Wong, a Mindset board member. One of the charity’s most important projects is its Improving Access to Community Therapies, or iACT programme. Developed in collaboration with Mind HK in 2022, it enables those in need to access free initial mental health assessments and consultations at pharmaceutical outlets and District Health Centre Express outlets in Hong Kong. It is designed to help fill the gap for those who are uncertain about the help they might need or where to find it. A shortage of mental health professionals in Hong Kong has led to overstretched public services and long waiting times. Public system waiting times for a first appointment at a psychiatric specialist outpatient clinic for routine cases can be as long as 99 weeks. More than 150 practitioners have graduated from the iACT programme, which requires 100 hours of classroom instruction and training followed by a nine-month practical placement under the supervision of medical professionals. The iACT graduates can apply for professional roles within Mindset. Mannings, a chemist chain under the Jardine Matheson Group, has collaborated with Mind HK to offer well-being check-in services, in which individuals receive mental health consultations with iACT practitioners at designated branches. Joby Lau, an iACT practitioner at Mannings’ branch in the IFC Mall in Central, says people with severe anxiety have checked in, and that she has “watched them fully recover and walk out of here completely healthy again” after getting the help they need. “It’s hard to treat this job as just a job. Seeing them recover is such an emotional experience that makes me want to keep going,” Lau adds. The process begins with an online form, where individuals answer questions about their mental health background to determine their eligibility for the service. The check-ins are for people between the ages of 18 and 65, and are ideal for those curious about their mental well-being and what kind of support or resources might help them. The service is not suitable for those diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions. Those who are eligible are invited to choose an appointment, either online or in person. Face-to-face consultations are currently available at five Mannings locations. A session starts with a description of the service and the client’s signed consent. The practitioner then guides them through a discussion of their specific challenges, exploring triggers that cause strong emotional reactions, recent life changes and any prior diagnosis or treatment history. This conversation can help the client better understand their situation and assess whether talking with the iACT practitioner suits their needs. If so, they may have six to eight confidential support sessions at no charge. If they need to be connected with other resources, the iACT practitioner can advise them on the next step and where to find the help they need. “The main goal is to help them familiarise themselves with their own struggles before they begin their journey of healing,” Lau says. “Although it’s a one-off service, it has opened a huge door for people to get diagnosed and seek help, especially for those who have never had the opportunity to confront those needs,” she adds. To date, more than 9,500 people have benefited from the iACT programme. To learn more about iACT, visit mind.org.hk. For details about Mindset, visit mindset.org.hk. Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.

How Hong Kong charity Mindset is promoting mental health in the city one step at a time

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From raising money to helping offer free support with the iACT programme, Mindset is helping Hongkongers with their mental health struggles

From raising money to helping offer free support with the iACT programme, Mindset is helping Hongkongers with their mental health struggles