Tying a green ribbon to mental-health awareness

Stacy Shi

Volunteers handed out green ribbons in Central yesterday to mark World Mental Health Day after four-years' absence due to the pandemic.

The campaign, organized by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety Support HK, aims to foster awareness for people struggling with mental health.

People were encouraged to don a touch of green or simply wear the green ribbons to show their support of the cause.

Minal Mahtani, CEO and founder of the organization, said she hoped to make mental illness visible through the campaign.

Returning to the streets after the pandemic, Mahtani said citizens have more awareness about mental health as they have experienced stress, anger and anxiety. "Whether it was the anxiety of not being able to see family members overseas, the frustration at restrictions on leisure activities and movement within the city or the uncertainty over when the pandemic would end, every Hong Kong person at some time and in some way saw their mental health deteriorate."

According to Mental Health Hong Kong, one in every seven people experiences a common mental disorder at any given time.

Mahtani said teenagers and even children were also struggling with mental health disorders as they had been isolated from friends during the pandemic.

"One in five young people are struggling with mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, or panic.

"Adolescence is a difficult time and they may feel disconnected with parents but the restriction caused them to be stuck at home and no privacy to talk to friends.

"It's really important for mental wellbeing to be included in the school curriculum, if it starts with one minute contemplation before class."

She also urged the government to give incentives for citizens to consult mental health professionals.

Mahtani said the government needs to make the service more available, such as having people trained in mental health first aid reaching out to people who are suffering.

She also hoped the government could fund NGOs that assist mental-health sufferers, give subsidies to people to become counselors, and stress to companies and schools the importance of mental health.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health yesterday encouraged the public to support World Mental Health Day by understanding mental health issues, accepting people with mental health needs and building an inclusive society.

It said citizens can receive mental health related and support services' information through a mental-health promotion and public education initiative, "Shall We Talk," launched in July 2020 by the Advisory Committee on Mental Health and the department.