Manulife Hong Kong has formed a two-year strategic alliance with Mind HK, a mental health charity in Hong Kong, to boost public understanding of mental health and enhance local support services.
The initiative supports Manulife’s Impact Agenda, focusing on long-term health and well-being.
According to Manulife Hong Kong, mental health issues can result from various stressors, including life events, illnesses, and financial difficulties. In Hong Kong, about one in seven people may experience a common mental disorder, yet 75% of those affected do not seek professional help.
The partnership seeks to address this by developing programs to reduce the high prevalence of mental health issues.
The collaboration involves organising awareness events, anti-stigma initiatives, and professional training programs to advocate for better mental health support in the community.
“Manulife and Mind HK share a vision to advocate for the importance of mental health and reducing unnecessary stereotypes in the city,” said Patrick Graham (pictured, left), CEO of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau. “Collaborating with Mind HK allows us to increase awareness of mental health and improve accessibility to mental health support within the community. Our commitment to the city and its people goes beyond financial well-being; we also place significant emphasis on promoting their mental and physical wellness, thereby bringing our ‘body-mind-wealth’ customer proposition to life. By leveraging Mind HK’s expertise and networks, we hope to change public perceptions towards mental health and foster a more inclusive society in Hong Kong.”
Dr Candice Powell (pictured, right), CEO of Mind HK, added: “This strategic partnership between Mind HK and Manulife Hong Kong is a milestone for Mind HK. It will allow us to expand and strengthen our service network to help more people in need of mental health support and also boost public awareness to improve mental health literacy levels and reduce the stigma around mental health. We look forward to joining hands with our like-minded partner to work towards our vision of ensuring no one in Hong Kong has to face a mental health problem alone.”
Key programs set to launch in 2024 include:
Developed by Mind HK, iACT® is a stepped care model offering free, short-term support for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or emotional distress.
With Manulife’s backing, Mind HK plans to enhance the network of iACT® wellbeing practitioners.
These events will feature experts from clinical psychology, public health, and NGOs, as well as individuals with personal mental health experiences.
The first event is scheduled for June 21, 2024, at Quarryside in Quarry Bay, with linguistic scholar-turned-TV host Benjamin Au Yeung facilitating discussions on emotion management.
This initiative will train individuals who have faced mental health challenges to become ambassadors, sharing their stories through various platforms.
In partnership with MINDSET Hong Kong, the campaign aims to educate the public and reduce stigma.
The three-day international conference, titled “Birth, Life, and Mental Health,” will explore mental health throughout the lifespan. It is expected to attract around 1,000 attendees.
