Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma

Event Details

"Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma", is the first event of its kind featuring Mind HK ambassadors. Hosted by Mind HK and MINDSET Hong Kong and sponsored by Jardine Matheson Group, in honour of their antistigma campaign "More Than a Label", the event will feature a series of personal stories on stigma and mental health from Mind HK's very own ambassadors. Taking place on 25th May (Wednesday), the virtual event will run from 11am to 8pm - all are welcome and registration is free. Lived experience stories of stigma, conversations with loved ones on having experienced a mental health challenge together, what it's like to be living in recovery from depression, anxiety and an eating disorder, managing a mental health diagnosis as a neurodivergent person, and many more topics surrounding mental health, will be covered through the sessions! We hope to use these stories and conversations to showcase, encourage and empower more conversations and actions around mental health.

[FULL DAY ACCESS] Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma

You can gain access to Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma from 11:00AM to 8:00PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[DONATION TICKET] FULL DAY ACCESS

You can gain access to Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma from 11:00AM to 8:00PM. All proceeds from this donation ticket will go to Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited (Mind HK) to support its 'More Than A Label' anti-stigma work.

Standard PriceHKD 150

[Cantonese] Welcome: The Prologue of Our Stories

You can gain access to [Cantonese] The Prologue of Our Stories from 11:00AM to 11:50AM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[ENG] Welcome: The Prologue of Our Stories

You can gain access to [ENG] The Prologue of Our Stories from 11:00AM to 11:50AM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[Cantonese] These are our Stories of Stigma

You can gain access to [Cantonese] These are our Stories of Stigma from 12:00PM to 12:50PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[ENG] Hear my voices – Embracing myself as a Neurodivergent Person

You can gain access to [ENG] Hear my voices – Embracing myself as a Neurodivergent Person from 12:00PM to 12:50PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[ENG] If you want to talk, I’m here.

You can gain access to [ENG] If you want to talk, I’m here. from 1:00PM to 1:30PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[Cantonese] Living in Recovery: Anxiety and Depression

You can gain access to [Cantonese] Living in Recovery: Anxiety and Depression from 2:00PM to 2:50PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[ENG] Living in Recovery: Eating Disorders

You can gain access to [ENG] Living in Recovery: Eating Disorders from 3:00PM to 3:50PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[ENG] Finding my own remedy – Diverse Help Seeking Experiences Complimenting Traditional Methods

You can gain access to [ENG] Finding my own remedy – Diverse Help Seeking Experiences Complimenting Traditional Methods from 4:00PM to 4:50PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[ENG] These are our Stories of Stigma

You can gain access to [ENG] These are our Stories of Stigma from 5:00PM to 5:50PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[Cantonese] Revisiting Mental Health from Cross Cultural perspectives

You can gain access to [Cantonese] Revisiting Mental Health from Cross Cultural perspectives from 6:00PM to 6:50PM.

Standard PriceComplimentary

[ENG] Work to live vs Live to work: Burnout Edition

You can gain access to [ENG] Work to live vs Live to work: Burnout Edition from 7:00PM to 7:50PM

Standard PriceComplimentary

Agenda

May 25, 2022

Events

11:00 - 11:50

Welcome: The Prologue of Our Stories (Cantonese)

1 in 7 in Hong Kong will experience a common mental health disorder at any given time. And yet, according to our 2021 research on antistigma, 46% of respondents believe that the main cause of mental illness is a lack of self-discipline and willpower. Join us as we celebrate and commence our one-day virtual storytelling event, Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma, followed by a brief introduction of the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions from a Mind HK Clinical Advisor and a brief sharing from a Mind HK Ambassador on having experienced some of the most common mental health conditions.

Margaret

12:00 - 12:50

These are our Stories of Stigma (Cantonese)

37% of respondents from our research in 2021 considered it frightening to think of people with mental health problems living in residential neighborhoods, a stark but unfortunately unsurprising insight on the level of stigma in Hong Kong. Stigmatising views on people with mental health conditions make it more difficult for anyone to seek help for their mental health, creating challenges and barriers for recovery. Join us in listening to our Mind HK Ambassadors Jeff and Coby’s lived experience mental health stories on bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression and ADHD and how they faced and overcame mental health stigma.

Coby

Jeffrey

13:00 - 13:30

If you want to talk, I’m here. (English)

We hope that mental health journeys are rarely taken alone. Oftentimes, people have a loved one who has also experienced various aspects of their mental health journey with them. We are inviting our Mind HK Ambassador Erica and her mom to have a candid conversation on what it was like to go through different chapters of her mental health story – from both of their perspectives. They will also discuss the role of support from a loved one and what they’ve learned from one another along the way.

Erica

13:30 - 14:00

BREAK

14:00 - 14:50

Living in Recovery: Anxiety and Depression (Cantonese)

Have you ever wanted to ask someone what it was like recovering from anxiety and depression? We have collected questions from the public on what they want to learn about with recovery from anxiety and depression. Join us as our ambassadors, Annissa and Lalin, share their mental health story and help answer some of the questions that you’ve asked in hopes of destigmatising mental health in Hong Kong and improving awareness around the two most common mental health conditions.

Annissa

Lalin

15:00 - 15:50

Living in Recovery: Eating Disorders (English)

Are you interested in hearing personal stories on recovering from an eating disorder? We have collected questions from the public on what they want to learn about recovery from eating disorders. Tune in to listen to Yen and Bea, Mind HK Ambassadors, on their recovery journey from an eating disorder and answer some of your questions about what it was like overcoming an eating disorder in Hong Kong and destigmatising one of the most common mental health diagnoses for women.

Yen

Bea

16:00 - 16:50

Finding my own remedy – Diverse Help Seeking Experiences Complimenting Traditional Methods (English)

Seeking help for your mental health can look like many different things and sometimes it is complicated to figure out what will work best for you. There is no one size fits all. Join us and Bea and Gaëlle, Mind HK Ambassadors, who will share their mental health stories and explore how various methods of seeking help have helped them in their recovery from an eating disorder and postpartum psychosis. We will explore how the creative arts can be used to complement traditional means of help seeking in one’s road to recovery.

Bea

Gaëlle

17:00 - 17:50

These are our Stories of Stigma (English)

37% of respondents from our research in 2021 considered it frightening to think of people with mental health problems living in residential neighborhoods, a stark but unfortunately unsurprising insight on the level of stigma in Hong Kong. Stigmatising views on people with mental health conditions make it more difficult for anyone to seek help for their mental health, creating challenges and barriers for recovery. Join us in listening to our Mind HK Ambassadors Claudia, Jonathan and Hafsa’s lived experience mental health stories on bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression and ADHD and how they faced and overcame mental health stigma.

Claudia

Hafsa

Jonathan

18:00 - 18:50

Revisiting Mental Health from Cross Cultural perspectives (Cantonese)

How we perceive and approach mental health is greatly affected by the culture and environment we are surrounded with; there are factors unique to Hong Kong. Join Mind HK Ambassadors, Annissa and Michael, as they discuss the impact and importance of our cultural differences and similarities, particularly in Hong Kong, when it comes to navigating their mental health journey. The ambassadors will be sharing their own lived experience recovering from depression, anxiety and living with ADHD and how culture played a role in this.

Annissa

Michael

19:00 - 19:50

Work to live vs Live to work: Burnout Edition (English)

Hong Kong has one of the longest working hours in the world. And with that, comes less time for us to take care of ourselves and our mental health. Join us for a panel featuring Lalin, Joann and Pooja, Mind HK Ambassadors, to discuss the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, prioritising one’s mental health and recognising burnout.

Lalin

Joann

Pooja

Concurrent Events

11:00 - 11:50

The Prologue of Our Stories (English)

Yen

12:00 - 12:30

Hear my voices – Embracing myself as a Neurodivergent Person (English)

Receiving a mental health diagnosis can be a difficult moment on its own. But receiving a mental health diagnosis can pose particular challenges for a neurodivergent person. Join us with Claudia, Mind HK Ambassador, as we discuss the challenges and unique perspectives that they have had navigating through their mental health journey as a neurodivergent person.

Claudia

Speakers

Bea

Ambassador at Mind HK

Carol

Deputy CEO of Mind HK

Claudia

Ambassador at Mind HK

Coby

Ambassador at Mind HK

Erica

Ambassador at Mind HK

Annissa

Ambassador at Mind HK

Gaëlle

Ambassador at Mind HK

Hafsa

Ambassador at Mind HK

Jeffrey

Ambassador at Mind HK

Joann

Ambassador at Mind HK

Jonathan

Ambassador at Mind HK

Lalin

Ambassador at Mind HK

Margaret

Ambassador at Mind HK

Michael

Ambassador at Mind HK

Min

Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Mind HK

Natalie

Coolminds Project Coordinator at Mind HK

Nicole

Coolminds Project Manager at Mind HK

Odile

Lead Clinical Advisor - Anti-stigma Project at Mind HK

Ophelia

Digital Content Coordinator at Mind HK

Pinky

Content Advisor at Mind HK

Pooja

Ambassador at Mind HK

Steph

HKU and Mind HK PhD Student at Mind HK

Vicki

Anti-stigma Project Coordinator at Mind HK

Yen

Ambassador at Mind HK

Bea moved to Hong Kong eight years ago to become an English teacher. She has a special affinity for the city because it is here she successfully overcame an eating disorder that lasted ten years whilst in New Zealand then the UK. Her drive for developing herself and others motivated her to pursue further study in teaching and voluntarily take on other responsibilities while working full-time, such as line managing, teacher training, and co-ordinating a volunteer program educating refugees. Last year, she became a mental health first aider and her recovery story was shared globally in her organisation. She also initiated regular awareness-raising sessions for staff on different aspects of mental health, with the aim of destigmatising its discussion in and out of the workplace. She is excited to return to her undergraduate subjects, Psychology & Sociology, when later this year she begins a Masters of Counselling at HKU, with her future goal and dream to help others recover and thrive.

Carol has been at Mind HK since 2017, where she has led the organisation’s communications strategy, campaigns, digital content, and external relations, prior to stepping into the role of Deputy CEO. She has led the organisation of the annual Mind HK Media Awards and previously sat on the organising committee of the Hong Kong Mental Health Conference in 2017 and 2020.

Carol previously supported public health development and communication programmes for the UN and a number of health-focused NGOs and digital health start-ups in Boston, New York, and Geneva. She holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Medical Humanities from Boston College and a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University. Outside of Mind HK, she is currently training to be a counsellor, working primarily with adolescents. She is a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum and is passionate about everything public health, storytelling, and changing attitudes toward mental health.

I’m a survivor of adverse childhood experienes, complex trauma, sexual assault; I also enjoy singing in chorus, exploring art galleries and reading mysteries, and am neurodivergrent. All of which are facets of me! Although my experiences impacted my mental health and physical health, struggling with a mishmash aftermath of depression, anxiety and trauma, fostered my passion to start speaking about the many sides to mental health struggles, in hopes of breaking the stigma and starting a real conversation about it. My journey to recovery taught me a lot, in particular, the fact that you’re here in the present moment means that you have been trying your best, because you have survived till today. To me, life is not about waiting for or getting to that light at the end of the tunnel, it’s about lighting up that tunnel yourself, along your way, with each step you take, whether forward or backwards, whichever direction!

Erica is a communications consultant at a professional services firm where she supports companies in developing and executing their employee communications and engagement activities for wellbeing and voluntary benefits programs. Erica has always been passionate about how communications can be used for good. After studying Psychology and Sociology, she began her career at an agency in Washington, DC supporting campaigns that leveraged communications and behavior change strategies to inspire public health in areas such as heart disease, breast cancer in young women, teen dating, and mental health. After chasing her dream to move abroad, Erica landed in Hong Kong in September 2017 to take on a new role working on communications programs for multinational healthcare, corporate, and education clients. Following her own experience with mental ill health and an opportunity to create and launch her former employer's internal mental health initiative, she was inspired to turn her focus to helping create healthier and happier workplaces full-time.

Lalin was born and raised in China. She came to Hong Kong in 2015 for college and started her career as a consultant here. After going through all the ups and downs with the city during these years, she feels a special connection with the city, and wants to use her own story to empower people around her.

Being far away from family, chasing her dream in a city that sometimes, under the current situation, is understandably difficult towards Chinese people, stress and anxiety could be overwhelming. She suffered from panic attack and once thought it would never get better again. However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. She received tremendous help and support from her family, friends, colleagues and even strangers. She realized that she is not alone and felt even stronger than before.

“It’s always ok to feel not ok and we all are in this together”.

Natalie holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and is passionate about mental health issues. Having seen the firsthand experience of mental illness and its impacts on her family and friends, she realised how little mental health is talked about in Hong Kong and is motivated to alleviate the stigma and misconceptions towards mental illness by raising public awareness in the community. With over 2 years of experience in supporting children and youth, she believes early education and prevention play a crucial role in youth mental health. She hopes to bring her experience to Mind HK and the Coolminds team to help advocate for better understanding and open conversations towards mental health issues and to spread the message that everyone should take care of their own mental wellbeing and those around them.

Odile has been involved with Mind HK since 2016, and was on the team that officially launched the charity at the 2017 Hong Kong Mental Health Conference. Odile is the lead clinical advisor for the Anti-Stigma Project, and a trainer. She was involved in the planning of the 2017 and 2020 Hong Kong Mental Health Conferences.

Odile is a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in child and adolescent care. Her commitment to serving marginalised communities lead her to work on the improvement of mental health care, and working with survivours of sexual assualt and domenstic violence as well as vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth. In Hong Kong she has focused her efforts on mental health and nursing education. Odile is currently also a Child & Adolescent Teaching Fellow at the HK Polytechnic University School of Nursing. Her extensive experience has allowed her to cultivate a strong focus in paediatric care, with a unique exposure to child and adolescent mental health.

Ophelia has been passionate about psychology since a young age, knowing that the human mind and behaviour plays an important part in her personal growth and overcoming difficult moments in life. She graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong majoring in psychology. As she gained insight on mental health issues in Hong Kong through her studies and IAPT practicum during her undergraduate programme, she realised there is an existing gap between public awareness of mental health and help-seeking behaviour, and the importance of taking care of mental health is underestimated. There are still misunderstandings towards mental health and deeply rooted beliefs towards mental health that impede people from reaching out when needed. She believes raising public awareness of mental health is the ultimate first step to improving mental health in Hong Kong. She is excited to be a part of the Mind HK team and use digital content to create a safe and supportive environment in Hong Kong to normalise mental health conversations.

Pinky joined Mind HK in 2019 as a volunteer and is now a Content Advisor at Mind HK. As someone born and raised in Hong Kong, Pinky understands why so many people in Hong Kong always have a high level of stress. She believes that everyone shall have an enjoyable life if they know how to cope with stressors. She is passionate about helping people to improve their life quality and happiness with her experience as a business executive and a health educator, especially those who are draining with mental health challenges.

Pinky is grateful to have the opportunity to be part of the Mind HK team. She is a qualified mental health first aid instructor and has provided online and in person training on various issues relating to mental health to the public, schools and corporations. She is also a part-time lecturer teaching master’s degree courses relating to sport and health at Hong Kong Baptist University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Pinky got a PhD (Department of Sports, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University), MPsyMed (Psychosis Studies) (Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong), MSc (Exercise Science) (Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), MBA (Brunel University, UK) and BA (Political Science) (University of South Florida, US).

Vicki graduated with a Masters in Social Work with a strong background and passion in mental health and psychology stemming from her Bachelors in Psychology.

With over five years of experience in mental health initiatives and supporting people with their mental health in both Vancouver and Edinburgh, Vicki hopes to bring her experience to Mind HK and help destigmatize mental health in Hong Kong. She hopes to normalize the conversation around mental health and the need for mental health support in the bustling city of Hong Kong where the conversation surrounding mental health can be a taboo topic. Prior to joining Mind HK, Vicki worked to support UNHCR and refugees as they are another one of Hong Kong’s most stigmatized population groups.

Vicki is an outdoor enthusiast and an advocate for spending quality time in nature. In her personal time, she is a keen marathoner, occasionally ultramarathoner, hiker and an avid climber.

Yen is a mental health advocate keen on highlighting society’s dangerous obsession with perfectionism. A former over-achiever herself, Yen skipped multiple grades and became the youngest head prefect and valedictorian at school, went on to graduate with a perfect GPA from Stanford University and investment banking offers in NYC, and eventually started her own fashion e-commerce business featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Forbes Asia etc. However, this relentless drive for achievement came at a cost – behind the façade of success were crippling eating disorders and depression since adolescence. After years of running herself to the ground, she finally decided to hit the reset button and redirect focus to promoting psychological wellbeing in society; hoping to share her own experience as a cautionary tale to others, and one day become a non-profit counselor. As part of this journey, Yen is currently pursuing a Masters in Psychology at HKU, while volunteering at crisis centers and participating in Mind HK’s Youth Wellbeing Practitioner pilot program this summer.

Mind HK

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Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma

Event Details

Tickets

[FULL DAY ACCESS] Our Mental Health Stories: Speaking Up Against Stigma

[DONATION TICKET] FULL DAY ACCESS

[Cantonese] Welcome: The Prologue of Our Stories

[ENG] Welcome: The Prologue of Our Stories

[Cantonese] These are our Stories of Stigma

[ENG] Hear my voices – Embracing myself as a Neurodivergent Person

[ENG] If you want to talk, I’m here.

[Cantonese] Living in Recovery: Anxiety and Depression

[ENG] Living in Recovery: Eating Disorders

[ENG] Finding my own remedy – Diverse Help Seeking Experiences Complimenting Traditional Methods

[ENG] These are our Stories of Stigma

[Cantonese] Revisiting Mental Health from Cross Cultural perspectives

[ENG] Work to live vs Live to work: Burnout Edition

Agenda

May 25, 2022

Events

Concurrent Events

Speakers

Bea

Carol

Claudia

Coby

Erica

Annissa

Gaëlle

Hafsa

Jeffrey

Joann

Jonathan

Lalin

Margaret

Michael

Min

Natalie

Nicole

Odile

Ophelia

Pinky

Pooja

Steph

Vicki

Yen

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