bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Kylie Knott

Mental health has become a pressing issue globally, with the coronavirus pandemic taking a toll on our minds and bodies.
According to the World Health Organization, the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a 25 per cent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.
The whole of October is designated World Mental Health Month by the United Nations, while October 10 is World Mental Health Day – a time to remind us that we need to talk more openly about mental health and recognise the importance of looking after our well-being.
A number of events are unfolding in Hong Kong in the next few weeks, including the following.


Healthy wonderland
Insurance company AXA Hong Kong and Macau is going big with its “AXA BetterMe Weekend” on October 8 and 9 at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The outdoor carnival is divided into five sections: “Emotion Zone”, “Art Care Zone”, “Wellness Zone”, “Go Green Zone” and “Fitness Zone”.
How rituals like yoga can help us deal with Covid-19 anxiety
It will feature a range of classes, games and workshops, including one created by Japanese artist Yoshirotten.
Seven sessions of free yoga and dance classes are on offer, guided by professional instructors from Pure, under the themes of “Family Yoga”, “Yoga Strength & Stretch” and “United Dance for Family”.
For details visit AXA’s website.

Log into a healthier future
Advances in technology have improved health care. To showcase the latest developments, insurance company One Bupa is hosting “Healthcare 3.0 Concept Hub”, the city’s first interactive exhibition highlighting health tech and personal well-being.
Running until October 9, the exhibition, titled “The Future of Health & Technology”, will showcase the latest health tech – including smart medical services and health monitoring devices – and services and applications from Hong Kong and the region.

Bupa has partnered with Hong Kong mental health group Coolminds to debut a digital art therapy zone, “Be Brave Now”, centred around colours and numbers.
Budding surgeons can try their hand at a surgery simulation game, Dr Roboto, to see how well they can conduct a remote operation.
Visit the exhibition at Asia Standard Tower, Central.
Coolminds effort targets better mental health among Hong Kong youths
Making mental health a global priority
MindHK has played a key role in raising awareness around the often stigmatised issue of mental health. This month, the Hong Kong charity is hosting an online interactive panel event with the theme “Making Mental Health & Well-being for All a Global Priority”.
Recent research from MindHK revealed that an estimated one in five people in Hong Kong is dealing with a mental health issue.
Mental health charity’s new CEO brings her life experiences to the job
Speakers include MindHK’s new chief executive, Dr Candice Powell; the head of health care and social development research at Our Hong Kong Foundation, Dr Pamela Tin; and Dr Timothy Woo, wellness response partner in Hong Kong for Meta, the technology company formerly known as Facebook.
The Zoom event will be held on October 13. For details, click here.
Teens helping teens help themselves and each other

The year-old Mental Health Notebook, a group organised by teenagers for teenagers, presents the first Students Mental Health Week from October 22 to 28.
Its main event is an online mental health symposium on October 22, with plans for talks from a UK lawmaker, on how governments can help boost teenage mental health, and from a professor talking about mental health and the LGBTQ community.
On October 24, it will host webinars for teens on self-care and protecting their own mental well-being. This will include a session on how yoga can relieve stress.
Click here to see details as they come available.
4 new discoveries on how exercise helps your mind and body
Fitness expo sets high expectations
There has been much research into the link between physical activity and mental health benefits. From cardio workouts to yoga, the consensus is that exercising the body is good for the mind. That is reason enough to hit the Hong Kong Fitness and Wellness Expo (HKFWE) on November 19 and 20 at AsiaWorld-Expo.
The three-day event aims to get people in Hong Kong active as the city slowly emerges from the fallout from the pandemic. The HKFWE showcases brands, products and services to help Hongkongers embrace a healthier, fitter and more balanced lifestyle, including a yoga stage, competitive events and a gym village.
For details, click here.
Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.


How a daughter’s love for her mother with dementia is captured in emotional memoir

Hong Kong artist’s colon cancer diagnosis at 38 shows growing risk of it among the young

How a selfie-scanning AI tool to calculate biological age could help doctors treat cancers

Could ‘The Last of Us’ happen? With antifungal drug resistance on the rise, who knows?

Wellness

World Mental Health Month 2022: 5 Hong Kong events to raise awareness and encourage us to talk about mental well-being

During World Mental Health Month, we’re reminded to take care of our well-being and share our mental health concerns with others. Photo: Shutterstock

Several of the wellness events will feature yoga – a proven way to help destress and boost your mood. Photo: Shutterstock

Bupa has partnered with Hong Kong mental health group Coolminds to launch a digital art therapy zone, ‘Be Brave Now’, centred around colours and numbers. Photo: Bupa

Mental Health Notebook, set up by teens to help teens help themselves and each other, will hold an online symposium focused on students’ mental health.

Mental health group founded by teens, for teens, is fighting to put an end to ‘crazy’ stigma surrounding depression and other conditions

Mental Health Notebook is an organisation by teens, for teens. Its mission is to fight depression in young people and the stigmas surrounding it. Photo: Shutterstock


Mental Health Notebook co-founder Katelyn Au Yeung. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Mental Health Notebook co-founder Benedict Law Hin-tak. Photo: Benedict Law Hin-tak

While helping young people connect with others more easily, social media can be problematic when it comes to young people’s mental health.

Katelyn Au Yeung, along with her MHN co-founder Benedict Law Hin-tak, are trying to make mental health something that is more widely talked about. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The Hong Kong superhero who’s changing perceptions of the elderly and providing them with quality care – and dim sum that is easy to swallow

Queenie Man dressed as Captain Softmeal. Man is working to enhance the quality of life of old people by preparing soft, easy-to-swallow food that’s appetising, which she presents dressed as her alter ego. Photo: The Project Futurus

Queenie Man, CEO and founder of Project Futurus: The Project Futurus

Man with her late grandmother. Photo: The Project Futurus

Soft food on offer as part of Man’s nostalgic food event series Sensory Restaurant on Wheels. Photo: The Project Futurus

Man plays the part of the restaurant manager in a Sensory Restaurant on Wheels, serving dim sum to old people with dementia. Photo: The Project Futurus

A soft meal of siu mai dumplings as part of a Sensory Restaurant on Wheels menu. Photo: The Project Futurus

Man (left) wearing a traditional qipao whilst playing the part of a restaurant hostess in a Sensory Restaurant on Wheels event. Photo: The Project Futurus

Until Alzheimer’s disease has a cure – dementia experts are optimistic that will be soon – mitigating risk factors is key

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70 to 80 per cent of all dementia in people over the age of 60. Photo: Shutterstock

Professor Nancy Ip is a neuroscientist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology who says new findings are deepening our understanding of Alzheimer’s and revealing promising drug targets for development. Photo: Nancy Ip

Dr Bosco Ma says Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70 to 80 per cent of all dementia in people over 60. Photo: Dr Bosco Ma

Experts advise against arguing with someone who has Alzheimer’s. Photo: Shutterstock

A healthy brain compared to a brain with Alzheimer’s disease. Illustration: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health


Wellness-focused groups host workshops, exhibitions and interactive events to help people in Hong Kong shake off stress, anxiety and depression
During October, we are reminded to look after our well-being and share our mental health concerns with others



During October, groups in Hong Kong are hosting workshops, exhibitions and interactive events focused on mental health and wellness, as part of World Mental Health Month.


World Mental Health Month 2022: 5 Hong Kong events to raise awareness and encourage us to talk about mental well-being

Wellness-focused groups host workshops, exhibitions and interactive events to help people in Hong Kong shake off stress, anxiety and depression During October, we are reminded to look after our well-being and share our mental health concerns with others

Healthy wonderland

Wellness-focused groups host workshops, exhibitions and interactive events to help people in Hong Kong shake off stress, anxiety and depression

During October, we are reminded to look after our well-being and share our mental health concerns with others