Coolminds initiative aims to teach young Hongkongers how to better manage their mental health
- Joint programme by Mind HK and KELY Support Group is among beneficiaries of Post’s Operation Santa Claus charity drive
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Depression and anxiety continue to be the leading mental health conditions plaguing Hong Kong youths, according to two groups collaborating to help local youngsters.
Academic pressure and family strain are the main causes of distress, according to staff at Coolminds, a joint project between Mind HK and KELY Support Group. And the Covid-19 pandemic has not made life any easier.
“Classes have all changed from in-person to online,” said Nanki Luthra, Coolmind’s programme coordinator. “Kids are stuck at home more and that means more conflict with family members. There is also the loss of social interaction with friends that young people crave.”
She noted lower-income families had been especially affected due to their limited resources.
“There might not be enough computers at home for all the siblings to work on, and even if there are, the entire family is sharing bandwidth that may not be enough,” she said.
According to Coolminds project manager Cecilia Yiu, the initiative, set up last year, takes a three-pronged approach to the mental health of young people by educating students, parents and teachers. The programme holds seminars and workshops for schools but also encourages young people to write personal stories to staff.
Another goal is to destigmatise mental health issues.
“We want people to know that it is OK to talk about mental health, it’s not something to hide,” Yiu said.
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Students receive information describing mental health, how to maintain it and tips on self-care.
“One of our best tips is to go back to basics – get eight hours of sleep, drink plenty of water, exercise, maintain a good diet … and add an element of fun to it to make it sustainable – carry a cute water bottle, play a sport, join a team,” Luthra said.
She also raised the importance of “checking in” with oneself by practising mindfulness.
“We often teach youths about the ‘circle eight’ trick – where they draw an invisible circle in the palm of their hand with a finger, and breath in synchronisation,” she said. “It’s easy and you can do it anywhere – while waiting for the bus or before an exam, and many of our service users say it really helps with anxiety.”
Parents, meanwhile, are given tips on how to talk to the young people in their lives, while educators are taught how to approach students and bring up the topic of mental health in a classroom setting.
You can make donations to Operation Santa Claus here
