How Talking Mental’s ‘one-stop shop’ mental health hub helps Hongkongers break through issues of stigma and accessibility

Founder Stadlin-Robbie launches ‘Walk and Talk’ and ‘Talking Mental Hub’ to close gaps in resources and quality care

‘Anyone on this planet with a brain has mental health issues, it’s just where you are on the spectrum’

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A member of the public (left) plays a quiz to raise awareness about eating disorders and other mental health issues at the Talking Mental Hub in Central. Photo: SCMP/Xiaomei Chen

Published: 7:00am, 26 Oct 2021Updated: 6:08pm, 26 Oct 2021

The key is never to let the metaphorical engine sit idle, says Talking Mental founder Aaron Stadlin-Robbie, who after completing a round-the-city walk launched the inaugural Talking Mental Hub at the Central Harbourfront last weekend.

The Hong Kong-Kiwi rugby player is a long-standing advocate for mental health awareness and its limited resources in the city having battled his own anxiety and panic attacks years ago. Though never fully eradicated – many argue that mental health affects everybody, it is but a matter of where one lies on the spectrum – he likens his healthier mindset to “revving up an engine”, even on the stubbornest of days.

In a seven-leg, eight-day walk through Central, Stanley, Sai Kung, Tai Po, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, Stadlin-Robbie, curious wanderers and mental health experts completed their second Walk and Talk event – last year’s inaugural being a virtual format. The finish line was the Hub near the AIA Vitality Park Observation Wheel.

“I don’t really want to use the words ‘it’s for everybody’, but [addressing mental health issues] is. It’s about finding patterns in the community that are lacking in mental health, then creating content and resources for them,” said Stadlin-Robbie, who co-founded Talking Mental in 2018.

Rugby player and founder of Talking Mental Aaron Stadlin-Robbie at the Talking Mental Hub opening in Central. Photo: SCMP/Xiaomei Chen

“Having been in the mental health realm quite intensely for the last few years, there is a massive gap in accessibility, quality care, and stigma. Accessibility comes from affordability and not knowing where to start. Quality care – there’s a massive disparity between the private and public sector, and if you can’t afford private, you have to wait in the public sector for, in some cases, two years to find appropriate help. So there’s a real issue with who you’re speaking to and how long you can speak for.”