The workshop was facilitated by Ms Kelly Lee, a Counseling Psychologist at the Counseling and Wellness Center. She provided participants with a valuable introduction to self-compassion in a nurturing and supportive environment. Kelly delved into the underlying theories of self-compassion, explaining the scale of self-compassion and emphasizing the critical importance of treating oneself with kindness during challenging times, particularly in the demanding context of university life.

Participants actively engaged in practical activities, such as designing personal self-compassion cards, which served as tangible reminders to cherish and love themselves amidst their struggles. This creative exercise not only fostered self-reflection but also encouraged a more compassionate mindset.

By the end of the workshop, participants emerged with deeper insights into the concept of self-compassion and practical strategies to be less harsh on themselves, ultimately enhancing their emotional well-being and resilience. The workshop empowered participants to navigate their personal challenges with greater kindness and understanding, reinforcing the idea that self-compassion is essential for maintaining mental health in a fast-paced academic environment.

The online workshop was facilitated by Miss Gigi Pang, an experienced certified counselor. She introduced the signs and patterns of Impostor Syndrome (IS), helping participants identify and address this phenomenon.

Throughout the workshop, the facilitator prompted questions via the chat box, encouraging active participation and interaction among students to share knowledge and insights. She guided participants in practicing skills and techniques to overcome IS. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of cultivating positivity as a defense against IS, offering daily practices such as mindfulness and breathing exercises for participants to engage in alongside her.

By the end of the workshop, participants became more aware of IS and learned skills to combat its signs while nurturing self-compassion within themselves.

University life presents a myriad of new challenges and experiences that can be both exciting and stressful. While a certain level of stress can motivate us, excessive stress can hinder our well-being. This workshop focused on identifying common stressors for students and their impact on academic performance and mental health. Led by Ms. Sherry Im Sut Leng, a Clinical Psychologist from the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, participants learned to recognize signs of stress and were introduced to effective management techniques, including mindfulness practices. Practical tips for maintaining a balanced and nourishing lifestyle were shared, empowering students to thrive in their university experience without feeling overwhelmed.

The workshop was delivered by Ms Sylvia Lam, a Consultant Dietitian. She provided valuable insights into the relationship between diet and sleep quality. Sylvia began the session by presenting data on sleep quality in Hong Kong, highlighting the prevalence of chronic sleep deprivation and its associated health risks.

Throughout the workshop, participants explored how specific dietary habits, and nutritional intake can significantly influence sleep quality. Sylvia emphasized the benefits of diets rich in fiber, healthy fats, and proteins, alongside ample fruits and vegetables, for promoting better sleep. Conversely, she discussed the detrimental effects of diets high in saturated fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates on sleep patterns.

By the end of the workshop, Sylvia provided practical sleep hygiene advice, including recommendations to unplug from electronics 30-60 minutes before bedtime, avoid late-night eating, and maintain a cool and comfortable sleeping environment. Participants left equipped with knowledge to make dietary choices that enhance their sleep health and mitigate the effects of poor sleep.

“Is it possible to remember everything in lecture notes and readings? This online workshop covered three important aspects of information processing : Encoding, Storage & Retrieval.

Student Counselor shared techniques to improve memory along with real-life examples, so that participants can remember more in less time.

The JUSTalk Series is a Human Library session that invites Peer Companions from the Counseling and Wellness Center and Youth Worker from LevelMind @JC to share their personal experiences in a small group setting.

In the workshop, each human book shared their current experiences as a youth pursuing a meaningful life, highlighting the challenges and resilience they faced. Participants listened empathetically, offering words of support and appreciation. Through open dialogue, both the participants and the human books exchanged thoughts and recognized the strength within youth, allowing everyone to reflect on their own experiences.

Ever felt overwhelmed by a long to-do list, yet still finding it extremely difficult to drag yourself to begin working on them? Ever felt not achieving much after a long day in front of your work desk? In this online workshop, students learnt about the psychology of procrastination. Our student counselor shared evidence-based strategies to combat procrastination and guide participants to apply them in daily life.

Death remains a taboo topic in Chinese culture. Research indicates that younger individuals often fear death more than the elderly, highlighting the need for greater education on life and death for the younger generation.

Mr Anthony Fung, co-founder of Grief Me Light, guided participants in creating a life journey map using art materials to reflect on their ups and downs in life. He introduced Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy, emphasizing that the meaning of life can vary significantly from person to person. Participants also engaged in writing epitaphs, contemplating how they would like to be remembered. Through this workshop, participants learned that death can serve as a meaningful reminder to embrace the present and foster introspection.

The training program was offered in both Cantonese and English, consisting of two sessions in each language series. The English series was led by Ms Odile Thiang, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Lead Clinical Advisor for the Anti-Stigma Project at MindHK, while the Cantonese series was led by Mr Alvin Cheung, a registered social worker with expertise in mental health and LGBTQ+ services.

The first part of the series focused on literacy-based education, covering the foundational knowledge of mental health, destigmatizing mental health issues, and raising awareness around youth mental health, including the specific risks faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. The second part provided practical skills training through real case studies, group discussions, and role-playing exercises to equip youth participants with the emotional support skills necessary to assist their peers effectively as mental health allies. Upon completion, participants received a certificate to recognize their efforts in the training program.

Overall, the workshop offered a valuable platform for participants to deepen their understanding of LGBTQ+ mental health issues, become more effective allies, and foster a more inclusive and affirming society.

The JUSTalk Series is a Human Library session that invites Peer Companions from the Counseling and Wellness Center and Ambassadors from Fu Hong Society - Sunrise Centre to share their personal experiences in a small group setting.

In the workshop, each human book shared their journey on how they responded to and overcame challenges related to emotional distress and mental health issues, highlighting the importance of resilience. Participants listened empathetically, offering words of support and appreciation. Through open dialogue, the participants gained a renewed understanding of resilience, and both the participants and human books reflected on their own experiences.