NIBBLES

Monsoon season has arrived

A new Southeast Asian inspired restaurant, Monsoon has opened its doors in ELEMENTS. The restaurant, led by award-winning chef Will Meyrick, serves up Southeast Asian streetfood dishes with a modern twist, including Indonesian Wagyu beef rendang, Salmon Amok and Kampung Snicker. The tropical decor and extensive range of fruity cocktails will transport you to the white sandy beaches of Thailand, perfect for these travel free months. Monsoon also offers a weekday set lunch and daily freeflow drinks package. monsoonoriental.com.hk

Coffee with a history

Popular local cafe, Halfway Coffee has opened a fourth location in Ho Man Tin. The cafe serves a wide range of coffee’s and light bites and is popular for it’s old Hong Kong style posters, coffee cups and decorations, transporting guests to another era of the city. 4 Soares Avenue.

Let’s taco bout it

Popular waterfront restaurant, Momentai has just launched a new taco and margarita night. Every Friday diners can enjoy premium tacos with toppings such as house smoked brisket, washed down with some freshly made, Triple Sec margaritas to really get the party started. Kiosk 1 Sai Kung Waterfront.

New cafe opens in the old town

A new Japanese style cafe, Kachimushi opened in the old town last month. Run by three young shop owners, the name translates to little dragonfly, implying the concept of always moving forward. With a minimalistic decor and a variety of sweet and savoury options, this coffee shop is the perfect place to slow down and relax during a busy work week. 33 See Cheung Street.

Forest themed tea

Resembling a scene out of a fairytale, creative cuisine restaurant Glasshouse Greenery is offering a new glamour forest themed afternoon tea set. Located on the K11 Musea’s rooftop garden terrace, the restaurant is decorated with natural tones and provides a relaxing outdoor dining experience. The tea set is available daily from 3-6pm and contains both savoury and sweet treats, including avocado paper roll, mini lobster burger, parma ham and burrata toast and a mini chocolate tart. Shop 501, K11 Musea.

Chill out at Treasure Island

Set on the picturesque Pui O beach, Treasure Island Beach Club is easily one of the most relaxing hangouts on South Lantau. The al fresco restaurant and bar offers family favourite dishes alongside a range of vegetarian and vegan choices. Open Friday afternoons, as well as weekends and public holidays, guests can enjoy live DJ performances while watching the sun set over the beach. You can also rent out water sports equipment from the Beach Club or make it into a staycation at one of its cabana rooms or all-inclusive private camp rentals.

treasureislandhk.com

Seize the day Nicole Slater meets the people fighting the stigma around mental health in Hong Kong

This year has been tough on the mental wellbeing of many Hongkongers, with job cuts and political tension, many people are nervous about the future. According to research conducted by Mind HK earlier this year, 1 in 7 people in Hong Kong will experience a common mental health disorder in their lifetime, but only 1 in 4 will seek help. We spoke with councillors across the city who are doing their part to keep us thinking positively about the future.

Jessica Yeung

Common Care Central

Through her own personal experience with mental health, Jessica Yeung founded Common Care Central, an online mental health resource, to help those needing a convenient and affordable form of therapy. With sessions available seven days a week, Yeung is on a mission to normalise mental health and increase access to mental healthcare.

What makes Common Care Central unique?

Through her own personal experience with mental health, Jessica Yeung founded Common Care Central, an online mental health resource, to help those needing a convenient and affordable form of therapy. With sessions available seven days a week, Yeung is on a mission to normalise mental health and increase access to mental healthcare.

How can people start?

Getting started is the hardest part. I would say that there are two things that are important when you are considering beginning therapy:

First: Finding a therapist you feel comfortable and suits you is the most important part. I personally had a costly trial-and-error experience when finding a good match, so our platform provides a service that helps you find a suitable match by considering your needs, preferences, and budget.

Second: it’s important to go in with the right expectations on what therapy is about. Therapy is a therapeutic alliance and it takes hard work, persistence and patience. Healing takes time.

Dr Ivan Chow

Marina Medical

Dr Ivan Chow is a physician in family medicine who has worked in primary care for many years. He treats his patients with a holistic approach,

managing their physical, emotional, spiritual and social aspects. Currently, he is based at Marina Medical, a private outpatient clinic providing primary and speciality care services.

What are the most common issues you encounter?

Anxiety and depression. This year in particular has seen a rise in patients experiencing mood problems and those who have recovered from mood problems are having relapses. I encourage everyone to pay more attention to themselves, think positively, engage in physical activity and don’t let the fear of being labelled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help.

What are some warning signs to look out for?

If the following warning signs occur, I will suggest they seek help from a mental health professional: Dramatic changes in sleep and appetite, decline in personal care, social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, drop in functioning, problems with concentration, memory and speech, loss of motivation, suspiciousness of others and suicidal ideas or deliberate self-harm.

Do you have advice for those close to someone suffering?

Listen, give support and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. Learn about the symptoms, causes and consequences. Don’t say things like, calm down or stop stressing. Feeling depressed or anxious is not a choice.

Dr Mark Greene and Dr Michael Eason

Lifespan Counselling

With over three decades of counselling experience between them, Dr. Mark Greene and Dr. Michael Eason founded Lifespan Counselling. The boutique psychology group practice has a diverse team offering support for a wide range of topics including addiction, stress addiction, stress, relationship issues and child therapy.

What advice do you have for those suffering this year?

In psychology, there is a concept known as post-traumatic growth (PTG); that is, we can grow and evolve from challenging experiences. If we can accept the temporary nature of events in life, then 2020 certainly provides many long-term opportunities for growth and an awareness of resiliency.

What are the most common issues you handle?

In Hong Kong, many people struggle with work/ life balance issues, which in turn leads to stress, depression, addiction and relationship issues. By treating mental health like any other health concern, we can further encourage people to seek counselling when facing issues that impact them psychologically.

Do you have any advice for people wanting to start?

Reaching out to someone you trust and asking if they have any personal referrals is a good idea. If you view seeking help as an empowering process, you begin therapy from a position of strength and self-awareness.

Glen Heyburgh

Centre Minds

Growing up, Glen Heyburgh was always compassionate and ready to help others. After fighting his own battles he decided to study psychology and help give back to society. Heyburgh joined Centre Minds in 2018 and has been a listening ear to those who feel alone, unheard, irrelevant or unwelcome.

Is there social stigma about mental health in Hong Kong?

There is a social stigma attached to mental health, however this is not unique to Hong Kong. The more mental illness remains hidden, the more people think it’s something to be ashamed of. Most discrimination comes from people who have little or no experience of mental illness. Try to consider it as their problem, not yours.

What advice do you have for those struggling through Covid-19?

How you respond to stress during the Covid-19 pandemic can depend on your background, support system, financial situation and many other factors. Excessive stress can affect your body, take care of your mental health and seek help from a qualified professional.

Do you have advice for couples struggling during this time?

Lockdown rules have forced couples to spend longer periods of time together. These periods of close contact have acted as a stressor, which has intensified negative relationship behaviours and dissatisfaction for couples with existing vulnerabilities. Couples should constructively deal with conflict by working together towards solving issues and responding sensitively when the other is feeling stressed.

If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact the Hong Kong Samaritans 24-hour hotline, 2896 0000

Common Care Central

commoncarecentral.com

Marina Medical

marinamedical.hk

Lifespan Counselling

lifespancounselling.com

Centre Minds

centreminds.com