World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day (WICAMHD)
The World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day was first initiated to highlight the importance of mental health, starting from the early years and going right up to adolescence. It advocates the promotion of mental well-being and prevention of mental health conditions in infants, children and adolescents. Recognizing these needs, 4 organisations – the […]
Understanding the Empathy Gap: Parents and Children’s Mental Health
I started playing the piano when I was 4 years old. I used to miss out on playdates to practice for 3-4 hours every day. By the time I was 9, I had completed the highest grading ABRSM exam. When my eldest son turned 4, we started him on the piano. He has an extraordinary […]
Cultural Perspectives on Parenting: Building Resilience in Kids
Parenting is a universal experience, yet the approaches to raising children vary widely across cultures. In some contexts, independence and individuality are emphasized, while in others, family harmony and interdependence take priority. These cultural values shape parenting styles and influence the emotional bonds children form with their caregivers. This article explores how these differences impact […]
Bullying and Mental Health: Identifying and responding to bullying
Bullying is a common problem in Hong Kong, as it is in many countries and regions across the world (Johansson et al., 2022). Bullying can have a big impact on a child. The experience of being bullied is associated with poorer concentration, lower school attendance, a weaker sense of belonging in school, and lower academic […]
Breastfeeding and Mental Health: Navigating the Modern Maternal World
As a registered nurse, it is important for me to acknowledge the promotion of breastfeeding and educate all its benefits to mothers. Beyond its nutritional advantages, breastfeeding offers crucial protection against diseases through antibody transfer between mother and child. Additionally, it can reduce the mother’s risk of certain diseases, such as breast and ovarian cancer […]
Relocation and your mental health Coping strategies when making a move
Hong Kong is an exhilarating place. Time lapse videos of the city reveal a perpetually lit up skyline with headlights speeding back and forth across a spiderweb city grid. It’s a unique collection of mixed cultures and languages, attracting people from all over the world. Yet the factors that have attracted so many to make […]
Loneliness Awareness: Navigating the Unspoken Realities of New Fatherhood
It’s Father’s Day this month. A special shout out to all the new dads. Now that we’re in the spotlight over Mom for once (amirite?), I’m reflecting on one of my favorite unexpected blessings of fatherhood: how much I learn from my kids. What a deadbeat. I’m the one who’s supposed to do the teaching, […]
Empty Nest Syndrome: Navigating the Bittersweet Journey of Parental Transition
As our children spread their wings and leave the nest, we are often left with a bittersweet mix of emotions. Pride, joy, and anticipation for their future are intertwined with a sense of loss, loneliness, and uncertainty about our own and their lives. This emotional rollercoaster known as Empty Nest Syndrome (ENS) is one many […]
Teen Exam Anxiety: Empowering Students with Strategies to Keep Stress at Bay
Is your child one of the many millions of young people sitting their exams this summer? Nervous before an exam are natural – they allow our children to perform at their best. But, when anxiety levels remain elevated over an extended period, it can lead to a persistent state of fight, flight or freeze mode, […]
Maintaining Maternal Mental Health: Signs and Symptoms of Perinatal Depression
May is recognized as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about perinatal depression, which encompasses prenatal depression and postpartum depression. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022), approximately 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have recently given birth face mental health challenges, primarily in the form […]