簡介
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
最新
Christina Y W Chua - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at The CEO Foundation
Dear Parents,
As we navigate the complexities of raising children in today's fast-paced world, it's essential to stay informed about the support systems available to promote their mental well-being. Since its establishment in 2000, The CEO Foundation has been committed to enhancing lives in Hong Kong and China, particularly through mental wellness initiatives. In 2018, we proudly launched a new endeavor focusing on Animal-Assisted Service (AAS), which harnesses the unique bond between humans and dogs to foster emotional resilience and personal growth.
Our therapy dogs, known as Social Work Canines, are more than just pets; they are pivotal partners in providing support and enhancing the emotional experience of our beneficiaries. These specially screened and trained dogs work alongside their owners and bonded handlers, engaging with diverse groups, including children, teens, and the elderly. Our initiative aims to create a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can find comfort and companionship during their most challenging moments.
In recent years, our community has faced significant mental health challenges, particularly among primary and secondary school students. Research from the last decade indicates a concerning trend in the mental wellness of our youth. According to data collected by the Hong Kong Student Mental Health Survey, approximately 24% of primary school students reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, while this number rose to about 30% among secondary school students. This spike reflects the mounting pressures students face from academic expectations, peer interactions, and social media influences.
Perhaps even more troubling is the report to suicidal ideation among students. Over the last decade, the number of reported suicide cases among adolescents has increased, with the Hong Kong Mental Health Association noting a rise of 20% in the past five years alone. Moreover, data reveals that approximately 10% of students have considered taking their lives during their formative years, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to bolster mental health support.
Among youth, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) has become increasingly prevalent. Recent studies show that around 15% of adolescents in Hong Kong exhibit signs of SAD, creating barriers to healthy peer relationships and academic success. Additionally, conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression are affecting students at alarming rates, with recent statistics indicating that nearly 25,000 young people receive treatment for psychosomatic disorders each year.
In response to this escalating mental health crisis, The CEO Foundation initiated the HI (Human-Animal Interactive) Partner Program, a pioneering approach that utilizes the therapeutic benefits of AAS. Through our program, we aim to provide a multi-faceted support system for individuals across all age groups.
The presence of therapy dogs can alleviate anxiety and promote emotional healing in children and teens. Studies show that interactions with Social Work Canines can lead to lowered stress levels, increased feelings of happiness, and enhanced social interactions. These dogs offer kids a loving, non-judgmental source of comfort, allowing them to express themselves without fear.
For the elderly, the companionship of therapy dogs has proven to enhance their quality of life by reducing feelings of loneliness and providing motivation for physical activities. The HI Partner Program ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds can access the mental health support they need through loving interaction with our Social Work Canines.
As we move forward, we invite you to partner with us in this important journey. Let’s come together as a community and advocate for mental wellness among our children and youth. By fostering connections through the amazing bond between humans and animals, we can help reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and ultimately create a brighter future for our next generation.
We look forward to sharing more about the HI Partner Program and how you can get involved in supporting our mission to enhance mental wellness throughout Hong Kong.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate a song "You've got a friend" by Carole King, thanks and enjoy.
重溫
Chris Leung, Social Worker, The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society
Hi everyone, I am Chris, the Deputy Centre-in-Charge of the Sham Shui PO Community Living Room of the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon.
According to the "Long-Term Housing Strategy - Annual Progress Report 2022," the government has secured sufficient land to build public housing units, fulfilling the supply targets for the next ten years. However, as the allocation of land for housing is not evenly distributed annually, only about one-third of these units will be completed in the first five-year period.
Hong Kong nowadays is facing a housing shortage, and many citizens would choose to live in subdivided flats. According to statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department in 2021, there are approximately 108,200 subdivided units for rent in Hong Kong, with an average of 3-4 partitioned rooms per unit. The median living space per person is only 56.5 sq. ft., lower than the 75 sq. ft. standard for public housing and the 161.5 sq. ft. for the average household in Hong Kong.
Apart from limited living spaces, subdivided units are also facing several problems like heavy water and electricity charges, safety issues, etc. The poor living environment has poses impacts on residents’ physical and mental health that most of them have to bear heavy financial burden and parenting.
In view of that, the Social Welfare Department (the "SWD") launched the "Community Living Room Pilot Scheme" funded by the Community Care Fund. The Sham Shui Po Community Living Room Project locates in Fuk Wa Street, Sham Shui Po, in where subdivided housing is concentrated. The Project focuses on supporting subdivided unit households, especially those with children, in order to alleviate the difficulties they face while waiting for public housing and living in poor conditions, and provide critical support during the transition period.
As a Government, Business, and Community tripartite collaboration project, the government has appointed THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, KOWLOON, as the approved service organization to operate the Project, providing shared living spaces including pantry, dining room, living room, study and activity room, children's play facilities, fitness facilities, and self-service laundry facilities, as well as providing community information, health talks, After-school Learning and Support Programmes, community support and referral services. The Sham Shui Po Community Living Room has commenced operation since December 2023. It will operate for a period of three years. With the support of various sectors, the Project has already recruited over 500 families to provide them with services.
In this cross-sectoral collaboration project, not only could the users enjoy additional living space, but they could also broaden their social networks, thereby improving their quality of life and increasing their sense of community belonging. The after-school study support, provided by the Community Living Room, is aimed at alleviating pressure on parents to supervise their children’s homework. The project not only relieves the onus on parents as caretakers; it also lightens their housekeeping workload. Living in a relatively small and crowded flat, most of the users do not have space at home for a washing machine and need to wash clothes by hand. Now, however, they are able to make use of laundry services in the Community Living Room, which are available at an affordable price. User can build up their social network in the Community Living Room as well.
We will continue to actively expand the scope of services, and strive to help the sub-divided unit households in the Sham Shui Po district to improve their living space, sense of community belonging, and social networks after using the community living room facilities. In the long run, to elevate the living standards and enhance community belonging of grassroots citizens, we believe that with the participation of the business sector in setting up more Community Living Rooms in districts clustered with subdivided unit households, more grassroots families will benefit.
Three community living room projects in To Kwa Wan, Hung Hom and Nam Cheong are expected to commence operations gradually to provide support for subdivided unit households, particularly those with children. These four community living rooms are expected to serve 1,750 subdivided households, encompassing a population of around 270,000 individuals each year, to provide a better living standards for the residents.
And now I have a song I'd like to dedicate to all of you listening. My song is: "陪著你走” by Rubber Band
