Press Releases

Mental Health Month 2004 launched today

        Mental Health Month 2004 started today (October 9) with the launch of a "Caring School" programme aimed at enhancing the awareness of students, their family and teachers about mental health.

        The theme of this year's Mental Health Month 2004 is "Think Positive, Live Positive".

        Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Mental Health Month 2004, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau, said the objective of the programme was to encourage participating primary schools to promote the culture of caring for mental health in schools and to enhance the awareness of students, parents and teachers about mental health issues.

        "The programme is aimed at inculcating teenagers to adopt a positive attitude in facing up to pressure," she added.

        Mrs Yau said she was glad to see over 100 primary school principals, teachers and students at today's opening ceremony, demonstrating their support for the activities of Mental Health Month.

        About 100 primary schools signed a charter to affirm their support for the "Caring School" programme at today's ceremony. Participating schools will organise activities, such as visits to rehabilitation centres, seminars, interactive activities or school-based activities to promote mental health for primary five and six students from October to December this year.

        Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Chief Curriculum Development Officer of the Education and Manpower Bureau, Mr Stephen Yip; Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Public Education on Rehabilitation of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Dr Ip Yan-ming; Chairman of the Subsidised Primary Schools Council, Mr Lau Chi-keung; Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, Dr Cheung Kwok-wah; and Mental Health Ambassadors, Ms Victoria Lam and Mr Alfred Cheung.

        The ceremony was followed by a talk on how to shape positive children. Speakers included Dr Ip Yan-ming, Mr Lau Chi-keung, Dr Cheung Kwok-wah, Ms Victoria Lam and Mr Alfred Cheung.

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

        In the next three months, about 100 activities including seminars, workshops, exhibitions and recreational events will be held throughout the territory to disseminate the message of mental health.

        The public can visit the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau's website www.hwfb.gov.hk for more details of the Mental Health Month activities.

Ends/Saturday, October 9, 2004

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