In such a busy and hectic city like Hong Kong, it’s no surprise that mental health is a major issue among its inhabitants. For World Mental Health Day 2021 (Oct 10), Mind Hong Kong has just announced a new campaign to raise more awareness about mental health and lower the stigma surrounding it.
Called “More Than A Label”, the campaign introduces us to real-life individuals in Hong Kong, who were brave and courageous enough to share their mental health stories and recovery journeys candidly. They include Hilary, who experienced a panic disorder, anxiety and depression; Eddie, who started having panic attacks on transportation and was diagnosed with anxiety and claustrophobia; and Jo, who went through PTSD. All three individuals are featured in a by Mind HK and talk about not only their mental health issues but recovery journeys.
Earlier this year (Aug-Sept 2021), Mind HK conducted a survey of 1,010 randomly selected adults to find out the general public’s attitude towards mental health issues with these somewhat shocking results:
- 47% said they would not be willing to live near someone who had been mentally ill
- 37% were frightened to think of people with mental health conditions living in residential neighbourhoods
- 46% believe the main cause of mental illness is lack of self-discipline and willpower
It’s clear that the general public needs more information about ‘mental health’ β as 81.5% of respondents reported that they had not previously accessed any mental-health related information, while 85.6% said that they wouldn’t know where to find support for their mental health difficulties aside from hospitals.
“At any given time, around 1 in 7 people in Hong Kong are experiencing a mental health condition.”
Ian Law, MINDSET
“At any given time, around 1 in 7 people in Hong Kong are experiencing a mental health condition,” says Ian Law, executive committee member of MINDSET, Jardine Matheson Group’s charity who launched the campaign alongside Mind Hong Kong.
Through the “More Than A Label” campaign, which features 41 real-life stories from Mind HK ambassadors and other individuals, people can start to realise that mental health is something that anyone and everyone can experience at some point in their lives, and that it’s nothing to be afraid of. The stories can now be viewed on the web and at their exhibition coming up from 15-19 October 2021 at The Wild Lot in Sheung Wan.
Mind HK – “More Than A Label: This is our story” Exhibition Details
Hours:
Fri, Oct 15: 1-5pm
Sat-Sun, Oct 16-17: 11am-7pm
Mon-Tue, Oct 18-19: 11am-5pm
Address: Shop B, G/F, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Entry: FREE
Check out “More Than A Label” on their website at morethanalabelhk.com and IG @morethanalabelhk; or download the PDF version of the book here
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