We have invited students with different cultural identities to share with us their unique festivals and how they have adjusted well in Hong Kong.

Students learnt more about the culture in Serbia, India and Canada. It was a great chance to taste some multicultural food, get relax and make more new friends.

Meditation helps improving concentration, boosting immune system and reducing stress. Yoga is a great way to work on one’s flexibility and strength.

In this experiential workshop, students learnt some basic yoga, breathing and meditation techniques that could bridge our body-mind connection.

According to Prof. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a renowned social psychologist, we can boost our happiness by showing our gratitude to others, cultivating optimism, practicing acts of kindness, nurturing trustful social relationships, practicing mindfulness, exercising, feeling hopeful and cultivating laughter.

To achieve these goals, a four-session developmental group was offered to encourage students achieving authentic happiness through various meaningful practices.

Mindfulness meditation is moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment. It has been scientifically proven effective in enhancing positive mood and reducing negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. It also helps improving concentration, boosting immune system and reducing stress. Mindfulness interventions have been widely practiced on the globe, including Oxford Mindfulness Center and UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center.

If you would like to enjoy the natural weight-less state of mindfulness meditation, this six-week mind-refreshing program will be beneficial to your soul searching journey. This is a continuation of promoting meditation culture on our university campus since early 2017.

A customized interactive 3-hour workshop on supporting students with difficulties was co-organized by the Counseling and Wellness Center and the Karen Lee Student Mentoring Center. The workshop is designed to support SBM faculty and staff who have frequent student interactions to help students who are experiencing mental health or addiction challenges or in crisis.

The Dream Catcher is originally from American Indian culture. Participants joined our workshop and took home with them of their dream catchers. In the ancient time, when American Indian children had nightmares, their parents would hang a handmade Dream Catcher in their room to catch only the good dreams.

A joyous research life is one filled with friendships with trust, respect, support and space. There are no simple formulae for establishing a supportive and sustainable social network. It could be a balance between give and take, between commitment to oneself and to others.

Mental health is a crucial element for a fruitful university life of students. It is the responsibility of all university staff to promote mental well-being and incorporate relevant practices as part of the regular institutional operations. It is also the university's goal to develop a supportive, accepting and well-informed university community that respects all individuals in the promotion of mental health and well-being. Mental Health Matters was initiated this year to raise the university awareness of mental health and mobilize efforts in support of better student well-being.

We would like to thank Ms. Winnie Lui and Mr. Stephen Char for their sharing on Crisis Management and Psychological First Aid, and Mental Well-being in Facing Life Adversity during the event. Their inspiring in-depth experience impressed our students and staff a lot.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to the two speakers who suffered from Bipolar Disorder after the busking performance on 19 Oct 2018. The sharing of their experience was unique and touching. It was also great to understand that people suffering from mental disorders are able to recover well with adequate support.

•　Experience Sharing on Crisis Management and Psychological First Aid by Ms. Winnie Lui
•　Mental Well-being in Facing Life Adversity by Mr. Stephen Char
•　Lived Experience Sharing by two speakers who suffered from Bipolar Disorder

Fun and caring activities were arranged to spread the “Mental Health Matters” messages on campus.
•　Moving Wellness - A Truck to Promote Emotional Awareness
•　Dustykid - Hug My Heart Exhibition
•　Exhibition and Assessment Booth - Emotional Awareness and Healthy Lifestyles
•　Exhibition about Public Attitudes towards Mental Illness
•　Roadshow on Emotional Health - Knowing Your Feelings