JUST LIKE PHYSICAL health, we all have mental health; both are fundamentally linked and influence each other. It is rightly stated that, “There is no health without mental health.”

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point during their lives.

OkayMinds is a mental health awareness and education initiative to promote the significance of mental health in everyone’s lives, to encourage people to start looking at it as an integral part of their overall health. 

Over the past few years, Hong Kong has witnessed both socio-political and public health crises. Particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to protect ourselves from mental health adversities.

The results of a survey of 11,500 people, conducted by HKU between February and July 2020, found that:

• Over 70% of those surveyed showed moderate-to-high levels of depressive symptoms, such as feelings of worthlessness and recurrent thoughts about death
• Over 40 % displayed moderate-to-high levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, such as intrusive memories and persistent feelings of fear, anger, guilt, or shame
• 46% of PTSD and 50% of depression cases were 24 years old or younger

To cope with mental stress and disorder situations, individuals need mental strength – also referred to as resiliency – characterised as the ability to successfully deal with adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress. 

All of us possess a certain level of mental resiliency; however, through proper training and support, it is likewise a skill that can be further developed. 

OkayMinds conduct workshops and training courses which include Emotional First Aid, Stress Management, Emotional Regulation and Building Mental Resiliency. 

Workshop content and activities are tailored towards the specific needs of participants, with courses catering to ethnic minorities, foreign domestic workers, students and workplace employees, children with special needs, senior citizens and more.

OkayMinds is also an advocate of reducing the stigma and stereotypes around mental health, and putting an end to discrimination aimed at those who suffer from mental health conditions.