Press Releases

Mental Health Month 2002 kicks off

Members of the public should communicate more, show more care, understanding and support for their family members so as to promote the mental health of individuals and families, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau, said today (October 7).

Officiating at the Opening Ceremony cum Prize Presentation of Goodwill Card Design Competition of the Mental Health Month 2002, Mrs Yau said as family was the core unit for the society, harmonious relationship among family members would lead to a more united and harmonious society.

"We believe that should family members be able to share and care, we will be able to build up more social capital in facing challenges from all sides .

"With this year's theme 'Mental Health in the Family', we hope to promote public awareness of the importance of mental health through different activities," she added.

Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Dr Raymond Wu; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Shelley Lee; the Director of Social Welfare, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Leung Pak-yin; the Director (Professional Services and Medical Services) of Hospital Authority, Dr Vivian Wong; and Mental Health Ambassadors, Mr Allen Lee and Ms Nancy Sit.

The Mental Health Month is an annual publicity campaign on mental health organised by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, various government departments and non-governmental organisations.

This year's campaign is aimed at enhancing public understanding in ways to promote mental health in the family through improving relationship and communication among family members. Highlighted events include the Goodwill Card Design Competition and the "Mental Health in the Family" Exhibition.

The Goodwill Card Design Competition had fielded over 4,000 entries from primary and secondary schools. Winners were today presented awards at the opening ceremony.

Co-organised by the Mental Health Month Organising Committee, Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and the Education Department, the competition was aimed at encouraging family members to show care and support for one another so as to promote mental health among family members and build up happy families.

Also staged at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library was an exhibition featuring a wide spectrum of informative display panels on mental health such as psychological well-being, the value of lives, stress management and men's health programme. The exhibition will last until 6 pm tomorrow (October 8).

Today's opening ceremony was followed by a sharing session which was attended by about 300 people. Speakers included Dr Ip Yan-ming and Mr Allen Lee.

In the ensuing three months, more than 90 activities including seminars, workshops, exhibitions and recreational activities will be held throughout the territory to disseminate the message of mental health in the family.

Members of the public can visit the homepage of the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau at http://www.hwfb.gov.hk for more details of the Mental Health Month activities.

Monday, October 7, 2002