a quarterly journal from the hongkong federation of youth groups
Youth HONG KONG
September 2018
Volume 10 Number 3
Aware of Wellness
Contents
OVERVIEW 4 Maintaining wellness BRIEFING 6 Emotional health with Hsu Siu-man, HKFYG
September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
INTERVIEWS 9 Feeling the mind-body link Stanley Hui, Chinese University of HK 12
Volume 10 Number 3
Seeking advice Dr May Lam, Alpha Clinic
PERSPECTIVES 15
A parent’s role Lakshmi Jacotă
16
Mindfulness debate Elaine Morgan
17
Managing special needs Sarah O’Connor
4-5
6-8
OVERVIEW
BRIEFING
YOUTH SPEAK 18
Threats to wellness
21
Learning to cope
23
Finding balance
SPECIAL 24 Steps to wellness Services from HKFYG Wellness Mind Centre 28 Posting problems SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 30 Gravitational waves Chan Pok-fung 32 Smart gardens Mok Yee-ling CITY SPACE 34 Racing spirit Ada Chau SOCIETY & CULTURE 36 E-cigarette trends and risks HKFYG WMC team 38 Future reading Amy Law HKFYG 40 Talented young writers 43 YB21: startup product retail outlet 46 Cultural ambassadors 47 Land supply dialogue 48 Youth IDEAS on liberal studies, young-old employment and having children
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INTERVIEWS
PERSPECTIVES
24-29
YOUTH SPEAK
SPECIAL
30-33
34-35
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
CITY SPACE
36-39 SOCIETY & CULTURE
40-47
48-50
HKFYG
REPORTS
REPRODUCTION OF CONTENTS without written permission from the publisher is prohibited
ARTWORK, DESIGN, LAYOUT & PRINTING
EDITORIAL BOARD Andy Ho (Chair) Elaine Morgan (Editor) Ada Chau (Assistant Editor) Amy Fung Angela Ngai Gary Tang Lakshmi Jacotă William Chung
INTERVIEWS Elaine Morgan & Ada Chau
ISSN 2071-3193 (Print)
Hon Adviser Veronica Pearson
PHOTOGRAPHS By editorial team, acknowledged as captioned, stock images, or in public domain
VIEWS EXPRESSED are the authors’ and interviewees’, may come from official sources, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board or publisher
15-17
18-23
YOUTH HONG KONG published quarterly by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups
CIRCULATION (unaudited) 11,000-12,000 in Hong Kong, throughout the region and overseas
9-14
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Chan Pok-fung Mok Yee-ling [pseud.] Amy Law TRANSLATION Ada Chau & Angela Ngai
TRADEMARKS All brand names and product names are registered trademarks. Youth Hong Kong is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in articles.
DG3 ISSN 2519-1098 (Online) WEB youthhongkong.hkfyg.org.hk CORRESPONDENCE to The Editor, Youth Hong Kong, 21/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, 21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong TEL 3755 7084, 3755 7108 FAX 3755 7155 EMAIL youthhongkong@hkfyg.org.hk ADVERTISING enquiries to Ada Chau 3755 7108
The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups was founded in 1960 and is the city’s largest youth service organization. More than 25,000 activities are organized by over 70 units annually with attendance of nearly 6 million. Youth SPOTs, M21 Multimedia Services, Counselling Services, Youth at Risk Services, Employment Services, Leadership Training, Volunteer Services, Parenting Services, Education Services, Creativity Education and Youth Exchange, Leisure, Cultural and Sports Services, Research and Publications WEB hkfyg.org.hk m21.hk Online donation platform giving.hkfyg.org.hk
Editorial September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Wellness is all about finding a balance in life, coping with stress and having a positive attitude. Some young people find this a bit of a challenge and require help and support to develop awareness of what causes them anxiety and emotional upset. This 40th issue of Youth Hong Kong looks at wellness and young people. We ask how they cope when their equilibrium falters and we find out what services, practice and policy can support them when they feel low. Wellness is a goal that we should all strive for, especially for the young people we serve and care for. Do tell us about the steps towards wellness that have worked for you and the young people you know. Andy Ho Wing-cheong Executive Director, HKFYG September 2018
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Overview September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Maintaining wellness E
veryone needs coping skills to maintain a sense of wellness, most of all in the stressful situations so common in youth. These skills include awareness and the ability to explain when things go wrong, but first young people need the vocabulary and the courage to open up. Times of quiet reflection can be revelatory. Self-discovery with friends can be cathartic. But if all else fails, professional counsellors need to step in to help young people regain wellness. Wellness, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “...a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The National Wellness Institute calls it “…a conscious, selfdirected and evolving process of achieving full potential.” Everybody agrees that a sense of wellness is important, and is always associated with better mental and physical health and a longer, more fulfilled life. For young people it brings confidence and hope. Learning about wellness involves self-awareness and self-exploration. It is about making a conscious effort to not only understand and explain complex feelings but also ways to reduce anxiety and stress. Talking about feelings, writing about them in a text or a forum, chatting on the phone or in a group can help. Just stopping and thinking in a moment of quiet reflection can bring balance and peace. While most young people work out for themselves a strategy to maintain balance, there are some who need help and encouragement from friends or family. A good friend or mentor can help build inner strength and the useful habit of introspection. A wellness strategy includes paying attention to physical health, exercise and nutrition. It also involves emotional and social health, not bottling things up inside, but telling somebody who is trusted instead in order to get their perspective and support. When self-reliance breaks down and it is too hard to cope, there needs to be a safety net. High stress levels reported by students have been commented upon widely and the recent trend in Hong Kong youth of severe depression and suicide is of great concern. Timely intervention is the answer. School counsellors and social workers can give lowintensity guidance in response to calls for help and make referrals to medical professionals when needed. 4
Whatever the approach, it is becoming more obvious that these growing stress levels among young people need to be dealt with in a more proactive manner than in the past. There are times when it is futile to expect them to seek help independently. This is why counsellors and social workers are promoting preventive and therapeutic wellness in all its dimensions, in schools and the community.
In schools, the onus is on teachers to engage younger students in discussions on stress, relationships and the influence of peers and the media. This helps to develop a real understanding and assessment of personal risk and consequences. For older students, priorities might include good decision-making, maximizing potential, critical thinking and respect for self and others. School social workers deal with more specific problematic issues on a one-to-one basis, using hotlines, the internet and mobile phones. Facebook and messaging services such as WhatsApp are convenient for making contact. Public social media posts from young people let counsellors find those whose emotions are taking over and respond through forums and chatboxes as well as messaging services. The trend for wellness means that an entire industry has become established and practices such as mindfulness in adults have become widespread. Wellness is accepted as an
essential part of daily life, especially for young people. More than simply being free from illness, wellness depends on creating the coping mechanisms to give every individual the ability to function positively and productively, living a balanced and quality life. What could be more important for today’s youth?
每人都需要懂得如何處理壓力，特別是面對成長中各種挑 戰的年輕人。處理壓力的方法，可能包括意識到問題所 在、向別人求助等，例如自我檢視及向朋友傾訴，但當這 些方法未能有效幫助自己紓解負面情緒時，我們便要積極 考慮向專業人士求助。今期我們集中討論青年面對情緒困 擾時的情況及解決之道、學校和社區如何為他們提供支援 等；但對青年來說，最重要還是身邊人的理解與支持。
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Briefing September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Emotional health a professional view E
motional wellness depends primarily on having the inner resources to handle life’s ups and downs but the changes of adolescence, self-doubt and pressure sometimes puts equilibrium in jeopardy. Vigilant parents and teachers, seeing problems emerge, may advocate “emotional education”, but sometimes specialist help is needed. Figures for high stress levels have been rising in Hong Kong according to HKFYG polls. A year ago, over 3,400 secondary school and tertiary students were asked how they felt and over half were unhappy, showing signs of depression, while 40% complained about stress in the new school term.
revealed that 43% of teachers admit to lacking the knowledge and expertise needed. More than half of the 400 teachers who were polled at 62 primary and secondary schools said their students lacked “emotional education” on how to identify, express and manage feelings.
Many mental health problems emerge in early adolescence as levels of chemicals and hormones change and stress from academic studies and personal relationships builds. This can affect a young person’s ability to relax, be in control of their emotions and focus in school. At times, it can cause fear, depression and anxiety. What should be done by those who care?
Teachers believe that such education would support students’ ability to accept and control negative emotions, understand the emotions of other people and learn to be resilient. A large majority of teachers said this kind of training should start in primary school or even at kindergarten. These findings reflect the importance that teachers attach to educating students about emotions, but also throw light on their difficulties trying to implement it, given time and workload constraints.
A large majority of teachers say they do not feel equipped to handle such concerns and a 2017 HKFYG survey 香港青年協會去年一項調查顯示，近 3400 位受訪的 中學及大專學生中，超過半數表示自己不快樂，並有 抑鬱情況。調查亦指，超過四成受訪者認為，學期新 開始為他們帶來壓力。青協督導主任徐小曼女士表 示，該會提倡全面的「情緒教育」，透過正視情緒需 要，引導學生面對自己的情緒及壓力。當學生負面情 緒持續，便需要由專業人士介入，協助處理問題。她 提醒家長在新學年開始前後，可以特別留意子女的情 緒變化，例如有否出現持續哭泣或食慾不振等癥狀。
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HKFYG counselling Youthline: hotline 2777 8899 Whatsapp 6277 8899 Online portal utouch.hk 2pm to midnight Monday to Saturday University students hotline 2777 0309 Hotline for teachers 2777 1567 every Friday 4pm-8pm
The Federation’s supervisor of counselling services, Hsu Siu-man, offers advice: At the beginning of a new school year, students have to adapt to a new environment. This period easily creates study-related anxiety so parents and teachers need to watch for signs of anxiety and depression, such as loss of appetite or crying. We should not deny the emotions of youngsters. There is no such thing as a good or bad emotion. However, it can be difficult and worrying for parents and teachers to distinguish between teenagers who find it hard to handle stress and those who have lost their balance. Some of them will need the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in youth mental health disorders. The Federation hotline handled 19,077 cases related to emotional health in the 2016-2017 academic year, an increase of about 2,600 cases compared to the previous year, but some 47% of students in our surveys say they stay silent and pretend to be fine if they are unhappy. Others want to describe how they feel. For example, a Secondary 4 student who called the Federation hotline could not sleep. Pressure at school gave him nightmares. An older student, in her first year at university, called because she felt physically sick and dizzy at the thought of giving presentations in front of unfamiliar classmates. As a general rule, if the negative signs are alarming and last for more than a couple of weeks, professional advice is probably needed. For those who react to their emotions by physically hurting themselves − 3.2% among our sample − there is no question that professional help is required. Among approximately 3,200 cases in the 35 secondary schools where HKFYG school social workers were stationed during the 2016-17 academic year, about 21% were related to emotional issues – far more than 10 years ago. Now it is the second most common problem faced by secondary school students after issues relating to studying and family. Schools should focus on convincing youngsters to seek help while equipping them with the ability to help themselves. Emotional education cannot be pursued by school social workers and counsellors alone. All teachers, including school principals, should have the necessary knowledge and skills to help identify and handle these problems. Young people should contact others when they feel they are under pressure. Compared with most adults, youth feel powerless when faced with difficulties. HKFYG staff look for online posts from young people on social media who write about depression and anxiety. They reply but only identify themselves if the youngster sounds suicidal. Young people are impressionable. They are swayed by negative events and may copy the abnormal behaviour of peers, so online counsellors watch out for students who are copycats, influenced by previous cases of suicide. Our online counselling services have helped hundreds of people overcome suicidal thoughts since 2006. Please contact us if you know anybody who needs our help.
Publications include: Stress management: Can youth stress be eased by nurturing a positive attitude? Journal of Youth Studies, July 2016, 19 (2). yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/ en/2016/12/20/volume-19-issue-no-2-serial-no38-pressures-faced-by-the-younger-generation/ A Hong Kong school-based survey: impacts of parental gambling on adolescent gambling behavior and mental health status. Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health, December 2014, 4 (3). [Lead author]
Ms Hsu Siu-man has published a series of books on counselling with colleagues. She is regularly invited to deliver talks and training on areas such as youth emotional health, study planning and media education. She is also a committee member for the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health and The Family and Planning Association of Hong Kong. 7
Briefing September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s emotional health compared In 72 countries where OECD PISA surveys are undertaken, over 50% of 540,000 15 year-olds said they felt very anxious before exams, even if they were well prepared.1 Internationally, where psychological disorders are concerned, 10-20% of all children and adolescents experience problems according to the World Health Organisation.2 Here are a few examples. In Japan, an estimated one in 12 primary school students and one in four secondary school students suffer from depression.3 In Singapore, the number of youth seeking help at the Institute of Mental Health outreach unit has escalated according to 2018 figures, tripling in the last three years.4 In the US, an estimated 12.8% of American 12-17 year-olds have experienced at least one major depressive episode according to 2016 figures.5 In the UK, where a number of recent studies are indicative, official statistics for 16-24 year-olds show that the overall proportion of young people with symptoms of anxiety or depression increased from 18% to 21% between 2009 and 2014.6 In 2017, initial findings of the British Millennium Cohort Study of 19,500 children found that among 14 year-olds, almost 24% girls and 9% of boys had high levels of depressive symptoms.
In 2018, the Mental Health Foundation reported that 83% of 18-24 year-olds were so stressed during the past year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.7 In Hong Kong, a survey of 7,500 pupils at 21 secondary schools released in September 2018 revealed the scale of the problem. Over 51% of the students interviewed had signs of depression. This is consistent with similar surveys in the past. Public examinations, academic performance and prospects are cited as the main three stressors. Students spend 11 hours a day in class or studying on average and over half had signs of depression. 4.1% were considered to be in need of medical treatment.8 Another indication of the situation is reflected in the caseload of child and adolescent psychiatric teams with the Hospital Authority. The load rose from 18,900 in 2011-12 to 28,000 in 2015-16, representing an increase of more than 50% in five years.9 A large-scale mental health survey is scheduled to begin in Hong Kong next year. Three groups will be included, 6-17 year-old students, school dropouts aged 15-24 and the over 60s. The poll will have at least 15,000 respondents, with 5,000 respondents in each group. A full report is expected by 2021 and feedback from schoolteachers, parents and carers will be included.
Sources 1. PISA 2015 Results: Students’ Well-Being. oecd.org/pisa/Well-being-Infographics.pdf 2. who.int/mental_health/maternal-child/child_adolescent/en/
6. ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/ youngpeopleswellbeingandpersonalfinance/2017
3. wilsonquarterly.com/stories/the-mystery-behind-japans-high-suicide-rates-among-kids/
7. mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/stress-are-we-coping
4. straitstimes.com/singapore/number-of-youth-seeking-help-at-institute-of-mental-healthoutreach-unit-up-3-times-to
8. scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/2162429/about-half-teachers-and-pupils-hong-kong-show-signs 9. fhb.gov.hk/download/press_and_publications/otherinfo/180500_mhr/e_mhr_full_report.pdf
5. nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml
Some more reading
Hong Kong
• HKFYG Youth Wellness Psychiatric Subsidy Scheme. hkfyg. org.hk/zh/2017/09/27/ 青協推「青少年全健精神科資助計 劃」-2/ • HKFYG Poll on Teachers' view on Emotional Education. hkfyg. org.hk/zh/2017/08/28/ 青協公布「情緒教育教師意向調查」 結果 /
• rightstep.com/mental-health-blog/teen-depression-high-suicide-rates-japan-causes-factors/sbs.com.au/popasia/ blog/2017/05/16/why-are-japanese-and-south-korean-teenagers-so-sad • humanium.org/en/child-suicide-in-japan-the-leading-cause-of-death-in-children/
Singapore
• channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-kids-in-singapore-seeking-help-for-mental-health-issues-9241214
• Legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1617issh29mental-health-services-20170626-e.pdf
• hpb.gov.sg/article/health-promotion-board-launches-new-mental-health-initiatives-to-help-youth-bounce-backstronger-from-life's-challenges
• hongkongfp.com/2016/06/26/hkfps-comprehensive-guideto-mental-health-services-in-hong-kong/
UK
• who.int/mental_health/maternal-child/child_adolescent/en/
• cls.ioe.ac.uk/page.aspx?sitesectionid=851
• psychguides.com/guides/behavioral-disorder-symptomscauses-and-effects/
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Japan
• theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/08/uk-second-japan-young-people-poor-mental-wellbeing
US
• mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/2017-state-mental-health-america-youth-data • theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/31/young-people-mental-health-crisis-uk-us-suicide
Interview September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Feeling the mind-body link T
he link between your mind and body affects how you feel, physically, emotionally and mentally. Awareness of that link can also impact your health. Professor Stanley Hui at CUHK explains how this works and how to maximize the positive effects, even if you are studying for exams.
“The body and mind are connected in the closest possible way. They interact with one another, especially when we feel emotions strongly, and yet we are unaware of this most of the time.” Prof Hui demonstrates how the muscles in your neck and shoulders tighten when you feel stressed. “If the stress continues, you probably get a headache and feel tired.” Nevertheless, stress can be a protective mechanism, Prof Hui says. “It can be good for us in the short term and is essential for peak performance in athletes. It can make anyone feel more alert and focused.”
In the long term, too much stress is bad. Staying physically active helps a lot but it is hard unless you make it a priority. Perhaps the Hong Kong environment is partly to blame. Our lives are packed tight with study and work, leaving little time for anything else. Our cramped homes leave little space for relaxation let alone exercise, and both pollution and crowding are disincentives to going outdoors. Even our tower blocks don’t help. “Twenty or thirty years ago, walk-up buildings were common and we had to be fit to get home,” Prof Hui recalls. “Today, it can be hard even 9
Interview September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
to find the staircase. Instead, we take the lift and get home feeling exhausted, too tired to get up again and go out to exercise even if we know it is good for us.” Inactivity can become a vicious circle but the habit of exercising can also be self-confirming. There is very good news for Hong Kong parents who believe that time spent studying is of greater benefit than time spent being active. Research shows they are wrong. Prof Hui’s example relates to maths scores. “Those who spend two more hours studying maths but take no exercise have the same improvement in their scores as those who spent 30 minutes being physically active before returning to their studies.” Furthermore, active people feel better, more self-fulfilled and less stressed than those who only study. The active ones get peer encouragement and acknowledgement. Parents’ attitudes are also very important and fathers are especially crucial for getting the message across, according to Prof Hui. “My research shows that if the
father is active, sons and daughters will become active. If only the mother is active only daughters become active.” The theory rests on males being the major breadwinners. If a father is willing to make time to take exercise, the children see that it has been given priority and is important. This has a profound impact and means the whole family take health and wellness seriously. “This is perhaps one reason why the government moved to a 5-day working week,” explains Prof Hui. “It gives parents two whole days to devote to family life, go out together and take exercise. I have seen whole families running together. That’s ideal. Ten or twenty years ago it would have been very rare.” The Education Bureau is taking steps to promote active school campuses for the sake of wellness. “We can’t rely on PE classes,” reminds Prof Hui. “Only 90 minutes a week are timetabled and children are actually active for only half that time.” What’s needed is active recess periods and open schools before and after classes: easy to arrange with simple equipment like mats, skipping ropes and balls. Does the trend for encouraging wellness continue at university? Emotional and psychological stress levels can be just as high as at school, perhaps higher, albeit that tertiary students have more freedom to decide for themselves how to spend their time. Sadly, poor sleep intervenes. “University students stay up late and get up late. I know because I get replies to my messages that have been sent very late at night!” Late hours are not limited to university life. “Many parents of schoolchildren stay up till the early hours doing homework with them and then they all have to get up at 6am. It’s very common. They say they can only catch up on sleep at the weekend. Does that help? I don’t think so. It’s all very stressful.” Instead of perpetuating such lifestyles, Prof Hui strongly believes that lifelong wellness should be an integral part of university education. “If not, how will young people graduate with good ideas about health and fitness? Now, they come back to see me after graduation overweight and anxious, with no knowledge of the importance of staying active nor the motivation for health and wellness.”
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How can we be active in the evening when our days are so full? Simple, with the right motivation. “Picture yourself after a long day of study or work,” Prof Hui continues. “You get home, sit down and don’t feel like moving again. But it’s your weekly date to play badminton with friends. You can’t let them down and, if you were me, you would know from experience that you will come home feeling great if you go along and play.” The contrasts between slumping at home compared to the energy you feel after an evening of active enjoyment with friends is its own positive reinforcement and may be enough to give you a psychological as well as a physical boost. But there is more. “If you play well and improve your performance, even better. It will build your self-esteem and confidence.”
上呀 _ 許鎮洋
Providing easy access and opportunities to exercise help and both the government and NGOs have taken up the challenge. “Take group running for example. It has an attractive social element, especially for people who have not always been fit. It is very popular in Hong Kong, like yoga. Meeting and making friends is a great motivator.”
To get people moving in the first place means they have to be convinced it will work for them too, Prof Hui reminds us. “That kind of motivation has to be built through education and through knowledge, from parents and teachers.” If people realize how important wellness is, what a difference an active lifestyle can make to their entire lives. “Even if they don’t get fit immediately, one day they will remember.” This certainty is at the heart of Prof Hui’s philosophy. “For their quality of life and for relieving society of a burden, it’s our job to help them.”
香港中文大學體育運動科學系許世全教授跟我們分析身體、心靈、情緒三者如 何相互影響。許教授表示，一般人較少留意到心靈健康與身體的緊密關連。他 舉例，當人感到壓力上升時，身體頸、膊部分的肌肉往往隨即崩緊起來；如果 壓力持續，就會引致頭痛及感到疲累。保持適當運動有助紓緩壓力，但香港社 會生活節奏急促，大部分人忙於學習、工作等，要持之以恆地運動，必須堅定 作出選擇。許教授建議大家將運動融入生活，並逐步培養固定的運動習慣。 Professor Stanley Hui of the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is the Dean of Students at Lee Woo Sing College. He is a consultant in his field as well as being immediate past chairman of the Physical Fitness Association Hong Kong and author of several fitness-related books including “Wellness: The Key to Quality Life” published by CUHK, 2000. Evidence of benefits Regular physical activity promotes health and fitness and there is moderate to strong evidence that it results in reduced symptoms of depression in people of all ages. Systematic reviews, including the most recent study of over 1.2 million people aged 18+, have also found evidence to suggest that there are positive associations between physical activity, fitness, cognition, and academic achievement. Sources • health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/ • journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2016/06000/Physical_Activity,_Fitness,_Cognitive_Function,.27.aspx thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(18)30227-X/fulltext
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Interviews
by Aritra Sen flic.kr/p/cjeZTq
September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Seeking advice W
hen students lose their balance and cannot express how they feel to friends and family, sometimes they turn to school social workers or to psychiatrists such as Dr May Lam. She has longstanding clinical experience focusing on conditions such as emotional disorders, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. She is able to see the world through the eyes of her patient, and there has been a surge in demand for her services.
YHK
Dr Lam
YHK 12
According to reports, there has been a steep increase in the number of Hong Kong youngsters seeking professional health guidance for mental health problems. Why do you think this is so?
I think it is mainly because of increased awareness of the problems. People are more aware of the variety of mental health issues in young people such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and ADHD*. Therefore they are not so worried as in the past about seeing doctors and asking for help with mental health issues. Attitudes have changed since a decade ago, possibly because less stigma is attached to them now.
How do young people most often approach you – through schools, parents or friends?
Dr Lam YHK Dr Lam YHK Dr Lam
Young people usually come to see me because they are referred by their schools: school social workers, educational psychologists, principals or teachers. Sometimes parents bring them because they know me through friends or school teachers.
What troubles these young people most?
Amongst all the patients I see, up to 80% are students at primary, secondary or university level. Of these, most come to see me about mood problems, anxiety, depression or refusal to go to school. Among the younger ones, the main problems are hyperactivity and ADHD.
Is it possible to share some actual examples?
In cases of refusal to go to school, where they have had several weeks or months off school, there will be various somatic or physical complaints like stomach ache or headache. The longer they stay home the harder it will be for them to go back to school. As the pull factor, or the attraction of school fades, so the pull factor of being at home becomes stronger. There may also be problems like getting addicted to the internet. Meanwhile, the push factor from school also gets stronger and this makes it more difficult to go back to school. The student will be lagging behind his or her classmates, not handing in homework on time, and often, because of ADHD, losing confidence. There are symptoms of anxiety and depression as a result. In another example, a student will feel demoralised, will have lost self-esteem and be unable to satisfy school demands, go to classes, or sit still and concentrate. As a result, a lot of tension builds up between the student and his or her parents. This happens in cases of untreated ADHD. There is then secondary depression and loss of self-confidence as a result of lack of bonding with parents as well.
Dr Lam
YHK
In general, compared to adults, I actually find young people are quite honest about the challenges they face if you ask them the right way and have the right approach. The question is what is the right approach? It involves seeing their problems from their perspective, not from an adult perspective like that of their parents. Also, as a professional, I am not their mum or dad and do not have a parentally predefined set of values. As a result, they usually open up to me about their feelings and problems because that makes it so much easier for them.
As a professional, would you say that drug therapy is always necessary for the treatment of serious problems? If so, how do you deal with parental concerns about the long-term impact of such medication?
by Michael Summers flic.krp7sRaSJ
YHK
How can you get to the core of the issue during consultations?
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Interviews September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Dr Lam
In general, if you are talking about mental health such as schizophrenia and depression that cause psychosis, then of course medical treatment is needed, as it is in ADHD, and of course we also need to deal with parental concerns. Some of the medications don’t have a long-term impact and so when we explain their efficacy and benefits as well as the side effects, parents will usually make the right decision. For serious conditions that need medication, sometimes when they try the drugs and there is discomfort or side effects, they need to let us know because there is always a suitable alternative. However, I am sure there are always medicines that can help the kids, reduce their symptoms and distress, allow them to maximize their potential and help them cope with the challenges they face in life.
YHK Dr Lam
YHK
Dr Lam
Is psychiatry considered the last option by Hong Kong people in general, and if so, what would your advice be to a young person who did not know where they stood on the anxiety or depression disorder spectrum?
Generally speaking, I do think that Hong Kong people are quite hesitant about seeing a psychiatrist because it means their condition is very serious. In this way, people here are unlike those in other places, like the UK, the US or Australia where I practised before. However, I guess that anxiety and depression are experienced by most people at some time but not everyone needs to see a doctor. If your symptoms are severe enough or persistent enough and if there is a functional impact, you must see a psychiatrist. For example, if you can’t concentrate or focus, or if there is an effect on your relationships or academic results, even on your personal habits or behaviour, then you should seek help. But students should first tell a school social worker. If their advice is that basic counselling will not work, then take up a referral and go to see a psychiatrist.
Could you tell us a little about your perspective on wellness and how you manage your personal reactions to work that involves so much time spent with people who have negative emotions and other problems?
Passion is very important in my work. I like helping people. I enjoy what I do. Although I see many people with negative emotions, staying positive is very important and looking on the bright side. One should [learn to] follow one’s heart, take time out for oneself and leave behind things that one has no control over. There are simple things to remember: eat well, rest adequately, exercise regularly, stay balanced.
精神科醫生林美玲認為，近年香港人對情 緒健康的關注度提升，並更願意主動了解 自己的情緒問題，尋求專業協助。不過他 們仍認為，向精神科醫生求助是最後選 擇，主因是他們不想別人覺得自己受情緒 困擾的情況嚴重。林醫生強調，假如確有 需要，可以透過藥物幫助患者援解症狀。
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Dr May Lam graduated from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and completed specialist training in psychiatry in Hong Kong. She held a Research Fellowship at Harvard University in 2004. She is currently working at the Alpha Clinic in Hong Kong and is the Director of Variety - The Children's Charity of Hong Kong.
Perspectives September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
A parent’s role by Lakshmi Jacotă There are very few parents I know who do not want their children to do well in school, get into a fairly decent university and then, hopefully, find a suitable and secure professional path. Most parents I know also tell their children that this is only possible with hard work and effort because today’s world is so competitive. All this is reinforced by schools, the media and assumptions about our globalised, tech-savvy, interconnected world. So, as parents, we end up pushing, nagging, insisting that our children excel as we place more and more expectations on them. Is it any wonder then that students are stressed? Using a psychological assessment tool developed in Australia, a recent survey1 found that over a third of Hong Kong’s 6-24 year-olds suffered from some sort of stress, anxiety or depression. School pressures, lack of exercise, too little sleep and time spent online were highlighted as potential causes. Hong Kong is not unique. A Canadian clinical psychologist at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health reports that young Canadians also feel a lot more stressed now than in the past. Most worrying is the centre’s finding that “70 per cent of mental problems [have their] onset in younger years.”2 Similar statistics can be found all over the world, very often with the same causes. Something has to change, not only to reduce high stress levels and anxiety but also to cope with them. Experts, including educators, social workers, counsellors and psychologists, advocate finding a balance in emotional and psychological health to enable young people to manage the daily stresses and anxieties that they face. In particular, the professionals are promoting what is now popularly known as “wellness”. Sources 1. scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2149403/one-three-young-hongkongerssuffers-stress-anxiety 2. globalnews.ca/news/4138006/stress-causes-today/
They point to key changes in lifestyle that have a direct impact on overall health in any wellness strategy. For those simply needing to balance everyday stress these include paying attention to physical health, exercising more and eating more healthily. For emotional and social health, change would mean not bottling things up inside. For what might be called “spiritual” health the strategy could be as straightforward as setting time apart to be reflective and contemplative. If schools and universities are now paying more attention to the wellness of students, thus helping them find the balance needed to manage their moods and stress, what about the role of parents? They are perhaps some of the biggest stress-igniters in young people’s lives. Surely we have a responsibility to ensure wellness in our own children? I believe it starts with an honest view of them. It involves assessing their individual potential, their strengths and, yes, their weaknesses. I think it is about giving them tools and skills for managing both time and emotions. I know it is also about being more encouraging and less demanding, and about being more supportive and less critical. I realize that it means prioritizing sleep, good eating habits and physical exertion. I am aware that I need to tell them to put their books and phones down and just “be” and I’m very conscious that it is about managing my own expectations of my children too. They’ll have enough stress and strife in their adult lives. Surely the role of parents is to build the foundations of good habits and wellness while they’re still young? Lakshmi Jacotă 認為，現今家長大都期望子女在學校獲 取好成績，繼而在大學修讀理想科目，並在事業上取得成 就。受到學校、媒體及社會風氣影響，學生的壓力可想而 知。除了尋求專業協助、在學校提升關注學生壓力問題等， 家長亦有責任留意子女的情緒健康狀況。家長可以持平地 看待子女的能力、感受，同時協助子女培養良好的生活習 慣，例如足夠的睡眠時間、飲食均衡及培養健康嗜好等。
Notes * ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ** A school social work service is offered by HKFYG through the HKSAR government scheme, "one school social worker for each school." It covers all secondary schools and will include all primary schools from the 2018-2019 academic year. The aim of the service is to identify and help students with academic, social or emotional problems. **Delays in consultations at public hospitals have mushroomed as the demand for treatment has grown sharply. For example, from April 2016 – March 2017, there was a 70% rise in children and teens referred to public hospital psychiatrists and a 50% rise since 2011. According to the WHO, up to 20% of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from debilitating mental illness and 4-6% need clinical intervention. Hong Kong has only about 4.5 psychiatrists for every 100,000 people, about half the WHO recommended quota. The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists reports that there are only about 20 psychiatrists in Hong Kong’s public hospitals who work in the child and adolescent team. Read more Mental health care services for Hong Kong youth bauhinia.org/index.php/english/analyses/6 scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1953927/hong-kong-children-wait-more-year-mental-health
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Perspectives September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
The mindfulness debate by Elaine Morgan
T
he mindfulness movement and empirical evidence supporting it have not gone without criticism. Nevertheless, its popularity among people of all ages has surged as the industry has grown and academic interest has built. How does it work?
Mindfulness has been defined as the process of paying attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental manner. It is used to help students calm down and focus. Psychotherapists use it to treat recurrent depression. Where does it seem to be most helpful? In schools, mindfulness-based approaches teach students to manage their attention and increase self-awareness by focusing on thoughts, emotional states, breathing and other sensations. Mindfulness techniques are easy to learn and are said to help students become more responsive and calm, less distracted and stressed. It is already widely used in US high schools and is being introduced into some Hong Kong classrooms. A systematic review last year of over 6,000 American primary and high school students looked at the effects of mindfulness programmes. Findings were mixed and the data did not show improved classroom behaviour or academic achievement. Parents have asked questions which include whether it replaces another activity that has been proved essential, PE for example, and whether teaching is fully secularized or based on Buddhist beliefs. 1
“Overall, the evidence … urges caution in the enthusiasm for, and widespread adoption of, schoolbased mindfulness interventions for children and youth,” the review concludes. “Despite the empirical support of mindfulness-based interventions for adults, children
and adolescents may not benefit from mindfulness-based interventions … [they] may not be developmentally ready for the complex cognitive tasks, focus and level of awareness that mindfulness-based interventions require.”
In psychotherapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is used for depression. A 2016 meta-analysis2 found that MBCT appears to work as a treatment for preventing relapse in those with recurrent depression. The lead researcher pointed out that, “While MBCT is not a panacea, it does clearly offer those with a substantial history of depression a new approach to learning skills to stay well in the long-term.” In cases of special needs, where parents and children experience great challenges, mindfulness training has been reported to increase wellbeing. Studies have shown that the children had fewer behaviour problems and improved interaction with their parents. As one parent said, “Mindfulness helps parents of children with special needs gracefully manoeuvre stress. It gives me space to breathe.” Mindfulness meditation and training is now a US$1.1 billion industry in the US alone. Yet many psychologists, neuroscientists and meditation experts are afraid that hype is outpacing the science. Prominent psychologists and cognitive scientists advise that despite its popularity and supposed benefits, scientific data on mindfulness are lacking.3
Read more • campbellcollaboration.org/media/k2/attachments/Campbell_systematic_review_-_Mindfulness_and_ school_students.pdf • psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/201704/mindfulness-in-the-classroom-does-it-work • theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/23/should-we-be-mindful-of-mindfulness-nhsdepression sciencebasedmedicine.org/is-mindfulness-meditation-science-based/ • huffingtonpost.com/eden-kozlowski/the-necessity-of-meditati_b_5984646.html • time.com/4792596/mindfulness-exercises-morality-carpe-diem/ • huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-the-criticism-of-mindfulness-is-fair-and-why_us_ 59de6a20e4b0cee7b9549d61 1. Semple RJ, Droutman V, Reid BA. Mindfulness Goes to School. Psychol Sch. 2017. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5405439/ 2. Kuyken, W et al (27 April 2016). "Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse". JAMA Psychiatry. 73: 565. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0076 3. Van Dam, N T et al. Mind the hype: A critical evaluation and prescriptive agenda for research on mindfulness and meditation. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(1), 36-61. psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-00978-005
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Managing special needs Trying to manage my class of 30 special needs children can be quite a challenge. Jenny is excitable and finds it hard to sit still. Matthew finds that difficult to deal with so he hides under a windowsill ledge. Paul and Sam need extra support to get themselves organized. Jenny also has a sensory integration disorder, finds the noise of the aircon and the lingering smell of lunch distracting. Jill, who finds it hard to concentrate, gets lost on the way to class. Tommy, diagnosed as autistic and less likely to engage with other students, listens from the back of the classroom, waiting for story time. The class then hears the harmonious “dong” of the teacher’s gong. They stop. The room is silent. You could hear a pin drop. A couple of the kids move to more comfortable spaces and sit with their eyes closed. Matthew is still hiding and Paul and Sam are sprawled on the floor fidgeting, but they are all quiet. For one minute the classroom is at a standstill. A visitor might wonder what was going on. It looks like no learning is taking place. After exactly one minute, as suddenly as it all began, with another strike of the gong the room is back in motion, the buzz of learning is in the air and happy, productive students are engaged. What happened? Everyone was engaged in the present moment and refocused their attention. Jill could remember what she was supposed to be doing. Paul and Sam could find some peace to replenish their batteries. Matthew could retrace steps in his mind to find a different solution to a problem
by Sarah O'Connor he was working on. Jenny could take charge of the sensory information she chose to focus on. Mindfulness, which teaches children that brains can let in too much information and sometimes we need to tune it out, had taken place. My role as an advocate for families and children with special needs is not to teach mindfulness. I use it when identifying strategies that help children with learning. A new educational landscape has evolved and teaching mindfulness to whole classes like these is not uncommon today. Although mindfulness is not on the curriculum and there are no examinations, a few minutes a day has been shown to enable learners to stop and take stock of the present moment and enhance their learning. Mindfulness has helped them become aware of their senses and exist in the present. In my view, mindfulness is a first step in becoming conscious about your own learning, recognizing how you work and how to work competently and patiently with others. When a child has the ability to stop and reflect, she or he also discovers a process through which they can employ other strategies for learning. Their education and wellbeing benefit as a result.
Sarah O’Connor, the writer of this piece, uses mindfulness as a strategy with special needs children. More on her work at www.acorncare.com.hk
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Youth speak September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Threats to wellness A
group of young people in secondary or tertiary education tell us why they feel so stressed. They say the best way to cope is often to tell someone how they feel.
What makes life so stressful for you in Hong Kong? krp
6 so Exb
I think it’s a result of both academic and sociocultural pressure. A lot is expected of youth these days. Also, they are supposed to think and act in certain ways and any deviation from the norm leads to more pressure to conform which adds to the stress.
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C u a u ht ord li f
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Rachel
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M n is
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c. k
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Adam
I think stress is mainly due to lack of rest. There is so much pressure to do better than each other and “not fall behind” that we consume ourselves in studies and tutoring classes. We are constantly pursuing better grades, forgetting to stop, reflect and be mindful of our needs. It is important to take a break from study and spend time on other things like sports, social gatherings or music.
Hong Kong definitely has an extremely competitive and seemingly cut-throat environment. I think it’s the result of the media focusing on top academic scorers instead of extracurricular achievements. It places limits on actualizing their potential.
by
D
Tiffany
Justin
The media, the local education system and other people simply put too much focus on getting good grades and earning lots of money. People in general are also easily affected by the herd mentality and this can lead to major arguments about the purpose of life as well as whether it is best to pursue your dreams.
Some of my peers literally faint with anxiety over their grades
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What helps you stay balanced when under stress? I think one thing that helps me is having a platform where I can channel the stress that I feel through writing. Another is the social support that I get from my friends. Just talking to them or ranting about the stress helps me to relieve it.
Rachel Adam
Tiffany
I usually retreat into doing what I love: my hobbies, picking up my guitar and starting to play or going out and hanging out with friends. Just a few minutes with my guitar can help me de-stress and be ready for my next task. It is very important to make time for your hobbies, especially when you are overwhelmed with work. It gives your mind some space to relax and gives you some time to have fun. Whether it is talking to friends, playing football or simply lying on your bed listening to your favourite songs, it is important to give some priority to things you enjoy.
Hobbies that help you to de-stress are so important. Time management can also be extremely useful. Separating work-time from play-time helps you to avoid feeling guilty and maintain a healthy balance. That is integral to managing or even avoiding stress altogether. But when I am feeling extremely down, it gives me a sense of accomplishment to go on long runs to places that are significant to me. Seeing the places lifts my spirits and the walk back allows me to reflect. Cherishing small victories like that and reflecting on a daily basis give me a mental boost.
Justin
It’s important to know what makes you feel good. When I am under stress, I usually take a few deep breaths to clear my mind. This helps me to think about what I value in life and explain to myself the purpose of what I was doing that made me feel stressed. Then I would play football or go sailing or climbing. Somehow, sport can make you feel better and relieve stress. Besides that, I sometimes play a few rounds of computer games, just to ease my brain out of the pressure zone.
How do you cope with pressure from parents?
Tiffany
I can’t speak for everyone but personally I am comfortable communicating with my parents. I don’t think they would compel me to do anything that I am not fully capable of or don’t wish to do. They trust my ability to make choices and tell me about any concerns they have. It is important to build such trust so that parents don’t feel they have to pressure their children to succeed. However, some of my peers at school are very different. They literally faint with frustration and anxiety over their grades because they fear the humiliation their parents might suffer if the results are not good enough.
Justin
I always try to strike a balance between what I want and what my parents want. Personally, I feel that pressure from parents has both positive and negative effects. It can either encourage me to do something I have never done before or completely discourage me from trying to meet my full potential. Besides, I always try to reflect on each action I have made and then try to understand their reactions from their perspective. I think that communication is essential in coping with pressure from our parents. They were born and brought up in an environment that differs from our own in both the economic and political senses. 19
Youth speak September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Have you ever felt seriously depressed? If so, please tell us how you coped.
Adam
There have been days when I don’t want to get out of bed and simply feel empty and just want to be alone. I remember once staying in my room and shutting out all other people, even my closest friends. I wasn’t even in the mood to play my guitar. However, I soon realized that it was my friends who I needed the most. One of my friends realized how I was and was persistent, eventually getting me to talk and getting me out of that small corner in my room. Simply being with friends and expressing my feelings helped me cope - bringing my problems and feelings to the surface.
Tiffany
Rachel
Having been diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety after a struggle with anorexia, I think the greatest lesson for me has been to rely on routines for a sense of normality. I think I sometimes aggravate my mental state on “bad days” when I have had a panic attack. I do it by deliberately avoiding anything that has been planned for that day. However, I know it is important to find release - to try to be productive at difficult times. On the worst of days, I often turn to physical activity, meditation or writing about my thoughts and feelings in a journal to understand them more clearly.
I have experienced many very disturbing, intrusive and suicidal thoughts and my best advice is to TELL SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY. Anyone. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to control yourself and might act on the urge to hurt yourself, it’s best to tell someone else who can help you to stay safe.
Adam
…deviation from the norm leads to more pressure to conform…
It really varies depending on the person. All therapies and activities that help one to cope are about expressing your feelings and stress. There is a large variety of methods such as art therapy, mindfulness, psychodrama etc. Everybody is spread out across a wide spectrum of mental health and each method should be tailored specifically to the person concerned. I have experienced mindfulness therapy. Learning to be more mindful of our bodies and their needs is effective for building a sense of secure mental health. It is important to know when you are stressed or depressed and accept it. However the most effective activity, for anyone, is to talk about how you feel to a close friend, a parent or a teacher.
Note Names have been changed to protect anonymity
The Student Wellness Action Network (SWAN) was founded by students, some of whom helped to prepare this article. It is a non-profit startup that aims to improve students’ sense of secure mental health while combatting depression and excess academic stress,and breaking down the stigma against those with mental disorders. To bridge the gap between schools in Hong Kong and organizations and educators with expertise in this field, SWAN is establishing a network of student ambassadors in as many schools as possible. With their assistance, we hope to help more students, understand their schools’ backgrounds and culture and offer tailor-made talks. 20
我們邀請了幾位就讀中學及專上學院的 青年學生，分享他們的壓力來源，以及 如何面對壓力。他們認為學業及生活壓 力較難處理，而休息不足則令他們難以 集中精神爭取好成績。他們相信，培養 良好興趣，如寫作、彈結他或學習一些 放鬆身心的呼吸法，均有助他們減壓。
Learning to cope by Annie Secondary 4 was the worst year for me. I began to struggle with my emotions and moods. Everyone dismissed it as a phase, just normal teenage anxieties. I believed them to begin with but I could not explain even to myself why I was so tearful and had an overwhelming feeling that I couldn’t – or didn’t want to – cope with anything related to everyday life. I deliberately stayed up late at night making it impossible to wake up and get to school on time. When my mother asked me if these moods could be related to school work or friends or even family life, I could not answer her. I did not know the answer. That was when I decided, on my own, to see the school counsellor. Now two years later I consider myself to be “fine”. Sure, I am still anxious about some aspects of school work, exams and friends. But on the whole, I seem to be no different from other people in my circle, both in and out of the classroom. Looking back, I have very mixed feelings about my experience in speaking to the counsellor. On the positive side, I appreciate being able to speak openly and honestly without being judged. And I still use some of the basic strategies that she suggested about looking at things from different angles.
However, I was not convinced when she recommended that I attend a series of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) classes that were being conducted in my school, and even suggested that I might need medication and should see a psychiatrist. I did the CBT class, but even then did not really think it helped. There were four other girls in the class and I had the strange feeling that there was some kind of “competition” going on about who was “suffering” the most. I also learnt many new terms and labels for feelings that I hadn’t known before but they just made it easier to say, “Oh I’m having a panic attack” or “I feel socially anxious”. Going to see the psychiatrist was frightening. I went to one session and after the doctor spoke to both my mother and me separately, she said that I was just getting stressed about my studies and that I probably needed to learn better time management skills and not compare myself so much to other people. I do not know if the psychiatrist was 100% correct in her diagnosis. But I do know that I felt relieved that I was “normal” and did not need to take any kind of medication. That summer I took up badminton and found that 21
Youth speak September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
when I went back to school, my moods had more or less balanced out. Over time, I have to come to realize that I have a rather pessimistic personality and see the glass half empty instead of half full, and I know I am a worrier. Now, the more I read and the more I listen to my friends, I understand that what I feel is pretty much normal. Sometimes there is a temptation to label myself, but then I remember two friends who tried to take their lives around the time I was really struggling with my own emotions. One “succeeded” and one did not. I have never reached the point of wanting to end it all and am grateful for that. Maybe my moods, my tears and all the anxieties I felt were so overwhelming because I had never felt like that before and did not know how to cope. Maybe now, two years older, I am just better at handling things. For me, speaking to a neutral outside party proved to be necessary, just to get things off my chest, without the pressure of parental expectations. What bothered me then (and now) is that I felt the school counsellor was trying to find a label for me and send me down a preordained path that was not really necessary. I understand that now. It was better for her to be over-cautious, especially given the suicides that were happening at that time. But looking back now, I see 22
that it added to my worries rather than easing them. For the upcoming academic year, my school has introduced Mindfulness into the curriculum. I don’t really know what this will entail, but if is just a moment to forget about exams, homework and the stress of relationships, it might be a good thing. In the end, there are a lot of pressures on school students, real and imagined. We need to find different ways to let off steam. Maybe counsellors have a role, but I think it is very important for them to see each student as an individual, not just put all troubled students on the same route of behaviour modification. That does not help anyone. Annie 是一位曾經受情緒困擾的青年。她跟我們分享尋求專 業協助時的經歷，以及如何努力擺脫困擾，重新上路。她 表示，中四是她最為艱難的一年，當時她深受低落情緒所 困；但身邊人似乎並不明白，認為只是一般青年在成長期 遇到的情緒波動。她最終決定主動尋求學校社工的協助。 兩年過後，Annie 逐漸學懂如何釋放壓力，並繼續努力在 學業、家庭、社交生活等方面取得平衡。她特別強調，每 人都是獨特的個體，面對的成長壓力各有不同；輔導員尊 重受困擾青年的處境，從而給予適切協助是十分重要。
Finding balance R
by
eflections from three undergraduate students conclude this section. They have all experienced stress or depression in its various forms and have their own personal ways of handling it. S tr
ep
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Ting Everybody is different and everyone needs a coping strategy. Several of my classmates dropped out after midterm exams, probably as a result of burnout. Nobody knew where they had gone, but in fact, they had relied on sport and exercise to manage stress. My own strategy is to intellectualize. I analyze stressful events and evaluate their causes and consequences rationally. This shifts my attention and enables me to isolate emotions and lessen their effects. I have also learned that certain things are beyond one’s control, social background for instance. The rich and the poor live in two completely separate worlds. It is a sad fact and means poor students are likely to experience even greater stress. Yet, only when you strive for excellence can you survive in a society like ours, so I aim high and make sure I have enough sleep. If I had to stay up late preparing for exams it would become a vicious, stressful cycle.
Kiu
Hong Kong is a competitive society. Everyone feels they should be at the top so it comes as no surprise that young people feel stressed. Sometimes, finding an outlet or a distraction helps, running, or watching a movie, sleeping perhaps. On a day when there is simply too much to do, the first step is to calm down and then it is wise to prioritize anything urgent. It helps one to stay balanced. Management of expectations also helps when under stress so I suggest estimating realistic outcomes and then adjusting expectations accordingly. Emotions and anxieties are easier to cope with if you do things step by step.
Sherman
I know what it is like to have emotional problems. All we do today is study and even when the studying ends, we are only at the starting point. I have been through times when I just slept too. I had no motivation and missed all my lectures. When classmates reached me through WhatsApp, I didn’t feel like replying. But they never gave up. I was touched by the way they cared and encouraged me and promised that I would catch up on my life with a little more time. That dark period lasted around three months and I am very grateful to my friends. I also found that keeping a pet helped me to handle negative emotions but in the face of pressure you need friends. By sharing your feelings with them you can get through the stress.
三位大專學生阿 Ting、阿 Kiu 及 Sherman，分享了他們自 身面對壓力及情緒困擾的經歷，以及應對方法。
Note These three students are young “ambassadors” who work with HKFYG’s Wellness Mind Centre as peer counsellors for Project STEP. [See pages 26-27.]
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Special September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
TO STEPS
WELLNESS
A
t HKFYG, the definition of wellness involves awareness of oneself and one’s environment as well as knowledge about choices available for leading a healthy, fulfilling life. When promoting all-round wellness, the goals of the HKFYG Wellness Mind Centre concern physical and emotional health and wellbeing as well as intellectual and social wellness. The emphasis is on prevention.
WHAT are the main issues?
SURVEYS and findings
According to reports from HKFYG’s Wellness Mind Centre (WMC), there are four main problematic areas. Front-line counsellors and social workers who work faceto-face in schools and the community say that for youth in the 6-24 year-old age bracket problems include:
The Federation has been tracking trends in students’ moods, anxiety and depression since 2009. Tables 1 and 2 shows the extent of stress levels and depression. For example, high stress levels were reported by over 35% of secondary and tertiary students in 2013. By 2017 the number was up to 40%. Table 3 indicates how youth react. Tables 4 and 5 indicate the responses they like and dislike. HKFYG hotline responded to 19,077 cases over the academic year 2016-2017, an increase of about 2,600 cases from the previous year.
• Emotions Feeling lonely, frustrated, disappointed, emotionally unstable in stressful situations and unable to deal with worries • Study Homework, exam pressure, anxiety over future prospects and peer relationships • Family Parent-child conflict, communication with parents and parental marital relationships • Serious mental health problems Anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies Hotline counsellors report that the top three trending issues are troubling emotions, schooling and mental health. When they use online chat the main subjects also include love and dating. Lost love or conflict with lovers is typical and the feelings might include loneliness, anxiety about the future and tendency to depression.
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WHICH are the most serious concerns? While WMC’s primary aim is preventive, serious problems of depression and suicide are also dealt with. 71 Hong Kong students took their own lives between 2013 and 2016. Of 23 cases reported in the 2015-16 school year, seven took place in a span of just 10 days. The situation is exacerbated by a shortfall in qualified mental health practitioners in government service. Between 2010 and 2015 the number of young people seeking treatment for mental health problems at public facilities increased from 12,500 to 22,300, according to the Hospital Authority’s psychiatry department. The biggest jump, of 75%, was in those under 15 years of age.
1. What is your stress level when the new school year is starting?
43.7%
44.8%
High stress level
43.6%
35.6%
39.6%
35.8%
28.7%
25.3% 2013
Moderate stress level
2015
2016 2017
Note: 2014 surveys were for parents, not students
2. Percentage of students depressed
The points in the pie chart are based on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale*. The scale includes 20 emotional reactions or states for respondents to choose from and rate.
48.3%
51.7% 16 points or above (depressed)
15 points or below (not depressed)
* Radloff, LS. The CES-D Scale. apa.org/pi/about/publications/ caregivers/practice-settings/assessment/tools/depression-scale.aspx
3. If you are unhappy, what do you do? [Top five answers]
4. When you are unhappy, how do you want people to respond to you? [Top five answers] I will always be there for you whenever you need me.
55%
You feel unhappy so let me keep you company.
45%
I might not understand all your problems but I want to listen. No verbal reply, just a warm touch on the shoulder You can tell me. I think it will help.
35% 34% 28%
5. When you are unhappy, what is the respose you least want? [Top five answers]
Listen to music
67%
Crying will not help anything! All you know is how to cry.
59%
Play computer games
47%
58%
Pretend nothing is wrong and hide problems
I don't understand why you are so unhappy about such a tiny thing.
47%
Find someone to talk to (friends, teachers, parents or social workers)
There are many people facing problems bigger than you.
50%
40%
Don't spend all your time thinking such nonsense.
39%
Eat
40%
What is the point of being unhappy?
37%
HOW does HKFYG respond? Counsellors respond to posts about stress and depression on popular social media including Facebook. School Secrets is one of the Facebook pages that are checked for posts. Other useful platforms are online forums, WhatsApp and Telegram messaging apps as well as hotlines, referrals and rehabilitation.
• Youthline hotline 2777 8899 • uTouch WhatsApp on 6277 8899 • DSE 27771112 hotline with online portal at 27771112.hk/ • Online portal at utouch.hk/ and direct counselling by chatbox • ULine 27770309 hotline for university and college students
cont’d/… 25
Special September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
HKFYG Wellness Mind Centre Services School Social Work Unit for secondary schools
Student Guidance Team for primary schools
Love & Sex Education Programme
School-based Wellness Programme
Love Values
Media literacy
The WMC Love and Sex Education Programme aims primarily to give guidance to students while building awareness about dating, love and sexuality. Running from October 2016 till September 2019, it also offers talks and training for parents and teachers.
Project Net follows the award-winning BeNetwise media literacy project. It focuses on practices that allow young people to access, critically evaluate, and create valueappropriate media and is offered via social workers at government primary and secondary schools.
Teachers' hotline 2777 1567 for advice on tackling students' emotional issues. Lines open Every Friday from 4pm to 8pm.
Details medialiteracy.hk
Joyful@School Delivered by WMC in 24 secondary schools to disseminate mental health messages.
Media Counselling Centre
DSE 27771112 Hotline plus online counselling and programmes for DSE students
Youthline
uTouch
Hotline counselling 27778899
text counselling on WhatsApp, Telegram, and uTouch.hk web portal
ULine 27770309 for university students
Crisis textline Open Up Rolled out in mid-September 2018, this crisis textline is for young people at times of crisis. When they most need emotional support Open Up – Jockey Club Online Youth Emotional Support offers them a text lifeline to counsellors. It is the first 24/7 online crisis support service in Hong Kong. Collaborating partners The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong Offered by HKFYG with Caritas Hong Kong and The Boys’ & Girls’ Association of Hong Kong
These 3 programmes are supported by the Quality Education Fund
The services of the HKFYG Wellness Mind Centre outlined in this chart include its main projects, programmes and service centres. Furthermore, the School Social Work unit (SSW) organizes secondary school wellness programmes in 14 secondary schools and a further 21 secondary schools are
served by the Federation’s Youth SPOTs. All of these schools are assigned to HKFYG by the Social Welfare Department. The Student Guidance Team is SSW’s primary school counterpart. In the coming school year it will offer services in 25 primary schools on a contract basis.
Facts and figures WMC sources of information can be found at hkfyg.org.hk/en/media/press-release. The HKFYG surveys reflect findings of similar research reported in the publications below. • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2113124/half-3441-hong-kong-students-polled-show-signs • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/2140799/exam-stress-down-hong-kong-students-pushy-parents-are-still • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/2119364/one-six-hong-kong-people-suffers-mental-illness-dr • scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2109519/student-suicide-prevention-body-talks-google-and 26 • bauhinia.org/index.php/english/analyses/615
Mobile Wellness Truck: on the road
Project STEP: Emotional Wellness for Young People
How can young people face and cope with the continually changing challenges and stresses of daily life, some of which cause emotional imbalance? Project STEP provides preventive and early intervention to help them build self-awareness and emotion management skills. The five-year project targets all those who need to know about emotional healing and re-establish balance and stability. An estimated 600,000 young people will participate. Step One
focuses on primary and community care by engaging the community and creating public awareness of emotional wellbeing.
Step Two incorporates training and strengthening through large-scale education programmes plus cognitive and emotional workshops that reinforce individual and collective coping skills. Student wellness gatekeepers play a crucial role in this step.
Step Three involves timely intervention with professional support, including low-intensity counselling, high-intensity psychotherapy and medication where necessary. It shortens the waiting time for professional consultations via a subsidized Youth Wellness Psychiatric Service Scheme for youth who have never previously benefited from professional psychiatry and whose economic situation makes them eligible. Project STEP is supported by HSBC 150th Anniversary Charity Programme
The truck is on location all around the city, all year round, on school campuses, housing estates and in the commercial districts. With a natural-looking interior featuring a magic tree where visitors can post letters asking for advice, it has a relaxing environment as well as multimedia installations with virtual reality. The concept is to encourage everyone to recognize, name and understand their feelings. Enter and regain a peaceful state of mind while energizing your senses with a drop of essential oil! Stay tuned for the truck’s autumn schedule at wmc.hkfyg.org.hk
Wellness Theatre Exciting interactive drama for upper primary schools lies at the core of this new educational activity starting in the 2018-2019 school year. Called The Magic Voice Tree, it shares roots with the Wellness Truck’s symbolic tree and is another element in Project STEP. Promoting emotional wellness among young audiences is the key, with active engagement and interaction with actors. The plot follows characters who reveal awareness of their emotions, show how to get over shyness and embarrassment, and express feelings in order to manage difficult emotional moments. On tour at 50 Hong Kong schools each year from 2017 to 2021 Other services and events include the annual Run for Wellness for individuals, teams, families and schools, pictured on the cover of this issue.
Find out more about the HKFYG Wellness Mind Centre Web wmc.hkfyg.org.hk/ Call Hsu Siu-man or Christa Cheung 3422 3161
27
Special September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Posting problems L
etters posted in the HKFG’s Mobile Wellness Truck are answered by a Federation social worker. She adds her reflections and an allegory about youth in need.
I’m 16 and I feel so confused and frustrated. There seem to be so many problems that I can’t solve. None of my friends are like me. Is it wrong to feel like this?
gs. Being able to awareness of your feelin I really appreciate your ls as you do from n’t worry, everyone fee explain is important. Do t. The way you feel thing wrong about tha time to time. There is no feel strongly about d and bad. When you isn’t a question of goo what is happening about the importance of something, it tells you the people involved. on to those events and around you, your reacti and unable to solve be of being overloaded That feeling you descri stand, but it’s true familiar to me. I under all your problems is so y understand you. I may not always totall that even your friends always ready to t you are not alone. I’m want to let you know tha nt. Don’t forget, you h you whenever you wa share your burdens wit and ask me again. to the Wellness Truck can always come back
Krystal
eI dy but each tim ess. I hate my bo el us so to am nt I . wa I Sometimes I want to give up yself even more. m g tin ha up d hurt myself I en end it all. ss. You just feel Please don’t think like that. You are not usele ult time to be diffic ly lost. You must be going through a terrib this? like felt you thinking of giving up. How long have
Talking about Emotions
g me. I know it is never Thank you so much for trusting me and tellin want to tell you that I easy to share such deep feelings with anyone. is how you are trying see I you are brave and that you are valued. What I believe there is ents. your best not to give in at your darkest mom supporting you. and something important that is keeping you going I’ll Would you mind if I walked alongside you? a with me, need you ever when you by be standing out. reach you ever when s alway helping hand
28
Krystal
I have been trying to get a job in the police for several years but however hard I try, I always fail the fitness test. What can I do?
this job. You have such persistence I can tell that you must be passionate about rstand that the examination and you have set yourself no easy task. I unde test, a fitness test and a face-toprocess has several parts including a written but it may not be your fault. face interview. It must be so frustrating for you, strength or speed or coordination? What exactly have you been failing at? Is it
you in the disciplined services. There are Perhaps there are other jobs that might interest ss part that is difficult, there will be an always alternatives. Perhaps, if it is the fitne physical demands. May I know why opportunity for you that does not have the same ps then we can work out some options. you are so keen to be in the police force? Perha
Krystal
Letters to the wellness tree are confidential. Krystal, the social worker who replies to them, uses a pen-name. She writes about her experience I feel privileged by the courage shown by these young people who have been brave enough to share their troubles with a stranger. Many Chinese people believe that this is not appropriate behaviour. They would be too shy or too ashamed to share their stories with me. I have had letters from young people who have lost their sense of identity, who have doubts about their values and who can’t find any meaning in life. One boy was so emotionally unstable that he went to pieces when his girlfriend became depressed. The Wellness Tree lets them practice writing about how they feel deep down. They share secrets. Reading the letters is like unveiling mysteries. Although the Wellness Tree cannot help everyone we can try to make a difference. This story explains why. A young man walking on the beach sees a girl. She reaches down and picks up a starfish from the still-wet sand. Then she throws it into the sea. the young man asks her what she is doing. near, As he draws “I’m throwing starfish into the ocean,” she replies. “Why?” he asks. The girl looks at him with a sincere expression and says, “The tide is going out and the Sun is coming up. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.” The young man considers this and says, “But surely you realize there are miles and miles of beach and thousands of starfish along each mile. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The girl reaches down and picks up another starfish. She throws it into the ocean and as it hits the water, she says, “I made a difference for that one.”
Talking about Emotions A best seller at the 2018 Hong Kong Book Fair, 情緒字典 [Emotionary] was published by HKFYG as an aid for those who cannot always find the right words to say how they feel. It has 50 terms in English and Chinese, all of them express feelings. Details on pages 41-42 and at cps.hkfyg.org.hk/2018/07/13/emotionary/
Scan the code to find the truck
Note Letters to the Wellness Tree are confidential so the names of the writers and social worker are disguised to protect anonymity.
29
HKFYG
Science & technology
September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Gravitational waves science fiction into science fact E ven if you are not a science fan, you may have heard of the mysterious gravitational waves, first proposed by Albert Einstein. They have hit the headlines again and have a Hong Kong connection.
Chan Pok Fung
Gravitational waves cause ripples in spacetime, just like throwing a stone into a pond. They sound like something that only exists in the world of scientists and nerds like me. In fact, they are not that far away from any of us. When you walk down a street, you are already producing gravitational waves. Your body may be stretched or compressed by them as if you were standing in front of a distorting mirror, yet they are far too small to be detected.
How we know they are there They are so tiny that the merging of two black holes weighing about as much as 30 of our suns can only produce gravitational waves with ripples weaker than onemillionth of the size of an atom. Due to the overwhelming challenge involved in measuring them, scientists struggled for 100 years before the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected the first gravitational wave signal in September 2016. LIGO uses a technique called interferometry. Two mirrors are placed at the end of two 4-km long vacuum-sealed arms. Light from an emitter splits into two light rays which together form an interference pattern after being reflected by the mirrors. The phenomenon is similar to the inference that you can create in your bathtub.
30
Searching for super-weak gravitational waves signals is like trying to hear a mosquito buzzing at a rowdy party, but by observing the interference pattern, LIGO researchers successfully detected the gravitational waves produced by the collision of two black holes. This astounding discovery is attributed to the efforts of over 1,200 scientists, amongst whom is Professor Tjonnie Li of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Professor Li’s group worked on data analysis for LIGO to give a clear signal about the gravitational wave. The contribution of Hong Kong research in such a prodigious international project should undoubtedly encourage youngsters here to pursue studies in science.
Gravitational waves in the future Is the new space-borne gravitational wave experiment, which will cost about US$1.3 billion, only designed to prove that Einstein is right? Yes, and no. Einstein’s theory of general relativity serves as one of the most fundamental building blocks of modern physics and the direct detection of gravitational waves reinforces our understanding of it. Artist's impression of space-borne gravitational wave observatory near here
The brain is one of the most fascinating structures in the human body. Input is received through networks of neurons sent to the brain via electrical impulses known as action potentials and processed by higher cognitive functions. Output is generated as electrical signals relayed via billions of neurons and neural networks.
regain some of their sight. However, due to low resolution and pixelation, they have only been able to provide low quality images. These just help patients gain a sensation of light and identify light and dark areas.
Two years ago, when the company that developed Neuralink was set up, Musk was discussing a related The process by which this works is fascinatingly concept called “neural lace” that appeared in science fiction complicated and remains vastly unknown to date. You by Iain M Banks. Today, specifics of the Neuralink are might ask, if we are still in the dark about how the brain still a mystery but it is believed that there is a connection codes and decodes information, how can we expect with such “lace.” It involves micro-electromechanical computers understand the more complexity of electrical signals of tinyisbiocompatible robots Yet,towe have another profound reason for studyingsystems comprised Although reality far from science fiction, these ideas that are generated every second? is goingonto to bethe a birthwhich proliferate through be theinspiring. human body an idea waves are gravitational waves: theyWell openthat a window of can undoubtedly Gravitational piece of the universe. puzzle that Neuralink needs toare actively solve. the early parallelednot bynew science fiction writer Reynolds. Currently, scientists investigating for science fictionAlastair fans. One of the most popular stages of the universe by exploring its cosmic microwave themes is faster-than-light travel. From the point of view hardphysics, to graspnothing the concept behind such This is like receiving radio signals from a It is sometimes of modern can accelerate to a speed Wherebackground. do computers fit in? Just imagine: noislonger need radio station far, far away and this “radio broadcast” tellsserious us next-level faster thanstuff. light. Anyway, ourI would universe just too gigantic. to verbalize thoughts onspaceship paper likewould this and would what happened 380,000 yearscentury after the Evenmy a light-speed takeyou hundreds, Young people who have roughly grown up in the 21st areBig Bang. be able to myofviews orunderstand even millions yearsthrough to traveldirect acrossbrain-togalaxies. all well aware of the capabilities of technology, in particular brain communication. No hard copy or website needed. However, universe toous dense for light the computer. Thisthe machine haswas given the ability toto penetrate times nearer to itsinformation birth. Because of their To solve the physics problem, science fiction writers compute,atorganize and store outside ourpenetrating brains, power, gravitational waves areusthe great of scientists play tricks on space-time and spaceships, such as the and the worldwide web has provided with thehope chance in this field. we could detect gravitational wave signals Millennium Falcon in Star Wars which travels at millions to communicate and Ifshare information with one another the birth thenow universe, understand of times the speed of light. Gravitational waves become through from computers. Weofcan searchwe formight information more the formation of galaxies, the synthesis their friends and spaceships are designed to compress the on a webmuch browser in about an instant and communicate with of elements and the physics of extreme space in front of them and expand the space behind. This family members halfway across the world in realconditions. time. idea skillfully avoids conflict with the real physical laws. waves far more meaning In turn, Gravitational this convenience hascould madealso the carry younger forheavily mankind. Don’t forget, light is also a kind of wave, an As a top-tier city, Hong Kong doesn’t lack science fiction generation dependent on electronic devices. electromagnetic Given the able developments in the use of fans but so far we have lacked Albert Einsteins. Let the Yet, ironically, the speed wave. at which we are to light seen during a iscouple of centuries − from “gravitational wave” concept penetrate into every child’s communicate information comparatively slow. In illumination phone itcalls, internet transmissions heart and propel them on a journey of scientific discovery! order to to translate intofrom a comprehensible format, to medical and even to heatingfrom foodelectrical − the usefulness we have treatments to first translate our thoughts of gravitational wavesthem couldinto prove be immense. signals into words then input thetocomputer. The articles on pages 30-36 are written by awardees Wouldn’t it be insanely quicker if the computer could just of the Innovation and Technology Scholarship Award understand what our electrical signals are trying to say? Scheme, set up in 2011, organized by HKFYG and Science fact and science fiction jointly sponsored and supported by the Innovation Chan Pok Fung, awardee of the
Sounds easy right? Notscientific quite! Current Fundamental researchbrain-machine always sounds distant. and Technology Commission and HSBC. Innovation and Technology Scholarship interfacesIt (BMIs) a very limited ability toworking understand may be have true that even the scientists on these Award Scheme in 2017, is in the More details brain signals and are often constrained thewe bandwidth fundamental laws do not knowby how can makeinuse final year of a degree in physics https://innotechscholarship.hkfyg.org.hk/en/2018/ which information is transferred to and fromtheir the brain. of gravitational waves. Nevertheless, work If has at the Chinese University of Hong Neuralink is to create atoBMI that is of any sort of use,that thehas been essential technological advancement Kong. The scheme is organized by major issue improving bandwidth have to be tackled beenofclosely related to all ourwill lives. In the 1800s, we HKFYG and jointly sponsored and in order discovered to transmitelectrons the vast amount of electrical and understood for activity the firstthat time supported by the Innovation and 1 Technology Commission and HSBC. is normally with encoding and decoding thought. the involved concept of charge. In 2018, we have countless electronic devices, ranging from cell phones to computers, More details innotechscholarship. Taking retinal implants an example, these have because light bulbs to airasconditioners. They BMIs work only hkfyg.org.hk/en/2018/ been recently to help the visually impaired of ourintroduced understanding of this ONE property.
1. practicalphysics.org/electric-charge-and-current-short-history.html
31
Science & technology September 2018　|　Youth Hong Kong
Smart gardens
by Mok Yee-ling
T
here is something soothing about planting, tending and harvesting your own produce. A windowsill or a tiny balcony will serve the purpose as long as there is plenty of light. But you don’t need to put your plants outdoors. Indoor gardening can be done anywhere.
Indoor hydroponics A company with several options for growing herbs, fruit and vegetables both outdoors and indoors is City Hydroponics. Offerings on their website for indoors include a complete stylish windowsill kit. All the source code for the software that operates the system, including the mobile phone app, comes with the kit and is available to anyone for free. More details cityhydroponics.hk/index.php?main_ page=page&id=3
Plantui smart gardens from Finland ship to Hong Kong and are suitable for table tops. They have a builtin intelligent light system and automatic watering pump that help you to grow fresh herbs, salad greens and edible flowers from seed in 5-8 weeks in multiples of three or six. One of the 3-plant models is pictured. Once you have put water, seeds and nutrients into the planter, the software will control growth and analyze data. A mobile app lets you customize produce too, making tomatoes taste sweeter, for example, depending on the light and nutrients. More details plantui.com/collections/gardens
Simple sprouting Again for indoors, you can try this at home or in the office. Mung bean sprout and soybean sprouts are two of the most popular and easily sprouted kinds. First, the beans or seeds are soaked. If they are big, like mung beans, soak them for a day or two. If small, like alfalfa seeds they just seed to be moistened overnight before being transferred into the container used for growing. 32
Many different seeds and containers can be used and ambient temperatures indoors in Hong Kong are fine. A simple glass or plastic jar with an open-weave piece of cloth fastened over the top, or a lid with holes secured over the rim can be used, but any container used for sprouting must allow water to drain from it, because sprouts that sit in water will rot quickly. Tiered plastic sprouters are commercially available, allowing a number of crops to be grown simultaneously. The larger beans and seeds need to be rinsed at least twice a day. Mung beans and soyabeans have an outer case that will float off and can be discarded during the germination process which takes a few days. When the sprouts are about 5 to 8 cm long they are ready to eat and are at their most nutritious but can be left longer to develop leaves, sometimes known as baby greens. The sprouted beans can be eaten raw or cooked quickly. Refrigeration can be used as needed to slow or halt the growth process of any sprout, if for example you will be out of town for a few days.
Outdoor gardening The Hong Kong climate offers ideal growing conditions for much of the year. Despite exposure to hot summer days, strong winds and dry spells, a surprisingly wide range of edible plants can be successfully cultivated even by amateurs who are just starting. Study your space, its sunlight and surroundings, noting adjacent structures that may create shade. Most edible plants require a minimum of six hours of direct or indirect sunlight a day, with sun-loving plants such as tomatoes needing at least 10. Wind is often stronger at roof level than at street level and so consider windbreaks too if your containers or on the roof. Think about a water supply or a rainwater collection system and a storage area for tools and compost. Read more • • • • • •
easyorganicfarming.com/ • greenqueen.com.hk/ hong-kong-gardeninggreenearthsociety.com/ resource-guide-seedshappycityfarmer.com/ planters-urban-farming/ www.rooftoprepublic.com/ timetogrow.hk/ squarefootgardening.com/
Ten vegetables to try • • • • •
bak choy basil cherry tomatoes chillies Chinese (garlic) chives
• • • • •
lettuce mint parsley radishes rocket (arugala)
Ten tips to remember • Avoid tall, fragile plants • • • •
• L eave about 12cm between transplanted seedlings Build a simple frame to • Protect fragile seedlings make cover of netting from typhoons and winter winds Choose a spot sheltered • Try vinegar, garlic or from all-day summer sun chilli with water for other pests Eat plants before they go • Use organic matter plus to seed or they will taste vermiculite and peat bitter moss Harvest leaves from the • Wash away ants and aphids or use neem oil outside
Two urban farming projects at HKFYG Youth SPOTs Jockey Club Age-friendly City Project - Integrated Farm
The aim of the Integrated Farm programme is to cultivate a spirit of age-friendliness in all of Hong Kong’s districts. The citywide campaign was initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. At HKFYG Tsuen King Youth SPOT, a joint effort by inter-generational volunteers has been successfully growing various species of plants destined to live indoors. Volunteer training and a rooftop planting workshop have been in full swing all summer. Once fully-grown, the plants will be presented to elderly folk in the neighbourhood who are living alone. Enquiries: Sam Fong 2498 3333 More details : tk.hkfyg.org.hk
Neighbourhood First "Urban Farmer" Caring Project with Prudential
A day of urban agriculture in North District took participants to Kai Leng Tsuen, a village between Sheung Shui and Fanling. Corporate volunteers from Prudential Hong Kong Ltd joined young people and their parents for this hands-on experience which took everyone back to nature. Participants in the photo are weeding – an essential task. The NEIGHBOURHOOD First project has become a core component of the Federation’s community-based services. Organizer: HKFYG Jockey Club Cheung Wah Youth SPOT
Enquiries: Sam Fong 2498 3333 More details : tk.hkfyg.org.hk
33
City space September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Racing spirit N
o doubt running is one of the most popular and healthy sports. But how easy is it to become an accomplished runner and what are the main motivators?
You hear people saying that running is one of the easiest forms of exercise to take up, not like sports that require special gear and special rules. After all, you only need a pair of running shoes and some comfortable clothes, don’t you? And if the weather is good, you can run anywhere, anytime, at any pace. But these are not the main reasons why people go running. There are many different reasons, like getting fit and staying healthy, or losing weight, like me. That’s how it all started, but now running is part of my routine. I go running up to six days a week. How did this happen?
From alone to together First, I would just go down to the waterfront promenade near my home and run four to six km in the evenings. Since I just wanted to lose weight, I didn’t set myself any targets and stopped when I felt I had done enough. However, when I had lost enough weight, I realized that I had found other reasons for running: it made me highly focused. It helped me to relax and de-stress after work. I also realized how much I enjoyed this personal time. 34
by Ada Chau
I wasn’t interested when friends invited me to join a running class. To begin with, I couldn’t see the point. But out of curiosity, I went along one evening to a class near home and discovered some useful lessons. I learned that running is more than counting up distances. If you want to run faster, there are many different running methods and styles to help you improve, like tempo runs, long slow distance runs, interval training and recovery runs. All of a sudden, my eyes opened and I saw a new, big wide world of running. Gradually, I found that I ran faster with the class than when I ran alone. I had targets and other people to pace me. Those people shared my interests and so running became a social gathering as well. After training with the class for a while, I found that running 10km was no problem. Then, encouraged by friends, I started to join local races. I remember my first event so clearly. The route was exactly the same as my routine training and I found myself running more easily than I expected because there were so many people around me. Then, some of those running at my pace started to go faster. I wanted to keep up. At the beginning it was quite difficult, but I pulled through and was placed 9th in my age category.
Best performance I hadn’t imagined winning a medal since I had left secondary school but it made me so happy. It meant more than a medal. It meant that my training, my effort and my endurance were rewarded and the fact that I had matched my personal best in a competition made it all worthwhile. When running in races, many competitors aim for their personal best: the fastest time they have achieved for the distance in question. You compare yourself to yourself rather than expecting to beat other people. It helps you to improve and means the people around you are more like
companions than competitors. My own personal bests are 5km in 25 minutes, 10km in 50 minutes 42 seconds and a half marathon in 1 hour 55 minutes and 49 seconds.
Race-travel combo I’m already training for my first marathon in Taiwan in November. Of course my ultimate target is to do marathons in different cities, explore new running environments, experience other running communities’ hospitality and get a finisher’s medal to bring home as well. For me, those targets not only help me to improve, they keep me going too.
The Big Six: major participation Marathons
Full marathon entries
Month
Tokyo
35,000
February or March
London
36,000
April
New York City
50,000
April
Boston
25,000
September
Berlin
40,000
September
Chicago
45,000
October
Plus Hong Kong
22,500
January or February
Some of the psychological benefits that come from running with a group depend on positive peer pressure but curiously this may happen on a subconscious level through “social facilitation” as psychologists call it. It means that performance improves when you are merely in the presence of others. Perhaps, when you run together, you tend to give more effort, get caught up in the pace, are aware of onlookers and then perhaps you don’t recognize how fast you're going. In effect, your brain encourages you to keep up when you might otherwise have slowed down. Read more
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_facilitation
Trendy road racing Not only running for pleasure but running races has become a popular trend in Hong Kong. In the cooler months from October to March, there is more than one race every weekend and sometimes many to choose from. For shorter routes and family categories, runners’ souvenir packages are a good motivator. What with bags, T-shirts, towels and favourite cartoon character toys as well as finishers’ medals, some races have become pure carnival and there are often about 2,000 participants. Some races are run with a mission too, like the UNICEF Charity Run, the YOLO (You Only Live Once) Run, the Race for the Ocean and the HKFYG Run for Wellness.
35
Society & culture September 2018　|　Youth Hong Kong
E-cigarettes trends and risks V
aping, as smoking e-cigarettes is known, has mushroomed into a multibillion-dollar industry from a single manufacturer in mainland China in 2004. Researchers at HKFYG’s Wellness Mind Centre say it is harmful to youth. They want a total ban on all kinds of smoking.
According to recent figures from the Census and Statistics Department, the number of people aged 15 and above who smoke daily has fallen to 10%, a record low for Hong Kong. However, the same survey discovered that daily smokers of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has risen from an insignificant number in 2015 to 5,700 in 2017.1 Electronic cigarettes look like traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or even everyday items like pens or USB memory sticks. Also known as e-cigarettes, vapes and e-hookahs, they are battery-operated and do not burn or use tobacco but vaporize a solution which usually contains nicotine and other chemicals, including flavours such as fruits, candies or flowers with a more refreshing taste than tobacco.
In the past decade, the global market has grown hugely with sales rising from US$20 million in 2008 to over US$11 billion in 2016, expected to grow again to over US$86 billion by 2025.2 Though e-cigarettes are promoted as a way to help smokers quit or reduce smoking, marketing strategies mainly target non-smokers, especially young people. In Hong Kong, they can be bought easily online or offline by young people and are commonly found in trendy shopping malls and advertised on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. A survey conducted by the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong in 2016/17 looked at the rising trend and found that the prevalence rate of e-cigarette use among Primary 4 to 6 and secondary school students was 1.4% and 8.7% respectively.3 Since then, a Food and Health Bureau proposal to amend the Smoking and (Public 36
Health) Ordinance (Cap 371) in order to regulate their use under the same regulation as conventional cigarettes has been presented for discussion at the Legislative Council.4 Observations of frontline social workers stationed in Hong Kong schools served by HKFYG reveal that students are attracted by the multiple flavours, designs, and alluring promotion campaigns in chic stores and online. Many say they have tried them as a result of peer pressure but most believe that e-cigarettes are safe, do not contain harmful ingredients and will not lead to health risk and addiction. Are they right or have they been misled? The long-term effects of e-cigarettes are not yet known but research suggests that they might be a less harmful option than conventional smoking for those who are already regular smokers. However, since the e-liquid is a mixture of various substances like propylene glycol, glycerin, heavy metals, and potentially cancer-causing chemicals, there is widespread concern. Some e-cigarettes also contain harmful and addictive nicotine. Moreover, e-cigarette use might serve as a gateway to smoking tobacco products among youth.5 More than a dozen countries and territories have imposed a blanket ban on e-cigarettes, including Norway, Uruguay and the Seychelles, while in the US, UK and most other European countries, they can be legally sold to anyone aged 18+. The debate has been triggered by a mix of conflicting medical reports on their effects, industry interests, and controversy over whether vaping should be seen as a smoking cessation aid or a back door to nicotine addiction.6
Controversy and debate
• 2015 A US study showed that students who had used e-cigarettes by the time they started 9th grade were more likely than others to start smoking cigarettes and other smokable tobacco products within the next year.7 • 2015 A study by Public Health England, an agency of Britain’s Department of Health, found e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than tobacco and that most chemicals causing smoking-related diseases were absent in e-cigarettes. • 2016 The Royal College of the Physicians in London endorsed the use of e-cigarettes as a substitute for smoking.
• 2017 In Hong Kong, a survey conducted at Baptist University of Hong Kong and commissioned by the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) concluded that e-cigarettes contained one million times more cancer-causing substances than outdoor air after tests on 13 brands. • 2018 An American study showed an association between e-cigarette smoking and progression to smoking actual cigarettes.8
• 2018 A study of European adult smokers found those who used e-cigarettes were less likely to have stopped smoking than those who didn’t. E-cigarette users also smoked more cigarettes than those who didn’t.9
The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) held a signature campaign recently urging the government to enact a total ban on e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products to safeguard public health. As youth workers, we share their view and believe that young people should not be exposed to any form of tobacco or harmful related products. We urge the government to take action. Wellness Mind Centre recommendations Enact a total ban E-cigarettes ares a new form of temptation for both smokers and non-smokers. They pose an unquantifiable public health risk. We support a total ban on import and sales of all tobacco and non-tobacco-based smoking products before it is too late. Strengthen education Many people, especially youth, are misinformed about e-cigarettes. They believe them to be safe and harmless. Education on the associated hazards should be reinforced to enhance awareness. Establish good habits for health and wellness Youth try e-cigarettes for various reasons including curiosity, peer pressure and stress. To help prevent them from picking up bad habits including smoking of any kind, they need to cultivate self-awareness and wellness of mind. For this, they need space, opportunity, good diet and exercise. These would encourage the emotional and psychological balance that forms good habits and the ability to make wise choices for their own health and that of others.
Sources 1 Census and Statistics Department: Thematic Household Survey Report No. 64 on Pattern of Smoking. March 2018. statistics.gov.hk/pub/B11302642018XXXXB0100.pdf
Young e-cigarette experimenters in Hong Kong
prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-e-cigarette-and-t-vapor-marketto-reach-8643-billion-by-2025-reports-bis-research-675808803.html
2014/2015 2016/2017
2
COSH Press Release: Enact a total ban on e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products for the sake of public health. 15 June 2018. smokefree.hk/en/content/web.do?page=pr20180615 3
4
legco.gov.hk/yr17-18/english/panels/hs/papers/hs20180619cb2-1578-5-e.pdf
COSH Fact Sheet on Electronic Cigarettes. June 2018. smokefree.hk/ UserFiles/resources/about_us/books/COSH_Fact_Sheet_E_cig_en.pdf 5
6
drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes
Leventhal, AM et al. Association of electronic cigarette use with initiation of combustible tobacco product smoking in early adolescence. JAMA. 2015; 314(7):700-707. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8950
Primary school 4,020 2,340
Secondary school 33,380 29,380
Current secondary student e-cigarette users 2016/2017
2,770
7
Chaffee BW et al. Electronic cigarette use and progression from experimentation to established smoking. Pediatrics. March 2018:e20173594. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-3594 8
Kulik MC et al. E-cigarettes associated with depressed smoking cessation: a cross-sectional study of 28 European Union countries. Am J Prev Med. 2018; 54(4):603-609. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2017.12.017 9
Source
HK Census & Statistics Department, Tobacco Control Office, Department of Health statistics.gov.hk/pub/ B11302642018XXXXB0100.pdf 37
Society & culture September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Future reading: paper or pixel? by Amy Law
S
Over a decade ago, Amazon released the Kindle that disrupted the publishing industry. In the following two years, according to New York Times reports, sales of e-books surged. The iPad joined the war along with the iBook Store and in the face of the competition some book stores declared bankruptcy.
Transitional age Nevertheless, there has been a shift in e-book sales since then. According to Pew Research in the US, sales steadied from 2014 to 2016. The New York Times indicated a decline in the sale of e-books in the first few months of 2015. “[The publishing] guys are all sort of breathing a sigh of relief, saying ‘Whew, half our market doesn’t like reading on screen,’ Robert Stein, founder of the Institute for the Future of the Book says. “The problem is that they’re reading the tea leaves incorrectly.”1 While nobody can guarantee where the future leads, screen reading challenges the way we read. Stein suggested that in a period of transition electronic reading (e-reading) will continue to enhance and expand, giving people a reason to switch. For example, Stein’s latest project, Social Book, allows members to comment directly on the content of e-books used by teachers at certain high schools and universities so reading can become a social experience. 38
Little Stories – the Moment by Amy
Little Stories – the Moment by Amy
ince the emergence of smart phones and tablets, there has been an increase in the use of smart devices for reading and we seem to be moving away from paper. Will screens replace paper in the future? And would it be greener with pixels?
How do learners read and how well do they comprehend with print books compared to e-books? Some argue that print wins over pixel because the experience of touching paper and turning the pages helps students to process and memorize information. Others argue that e-reading can enhance comprehension, especially that of dyslexic learners, by the inclusion of animation, music, movement and sound. An interesting study at Kent State University investigated the preferences of around 3,000 Americans for e-books or print books. The study focused on the context and purpose of their reading. Other variables such as age, education level, community type and internet use were also considered. Findings showed that an overwhelming majority chose books in print for situations such as reading to a child (86%) and sharing books with other people (70%). However, e-books were preferred in other situations, such as needing to get a book quickly (85%) and reading books while on the move (77%).2 The explanation might lie partly in neuroscience. It reveals that humans use different parts of their brains when reading printed text on paper compared to digitized text on screens. Apparently, the more we read on screens, the more our minds shift towards a “nonlinear”, less focused form of reading that involves our eyes skimming and scanning web pages rather than following lines of text. Bearing that in mind, perhaps if we use the “linear” reading part of our brain less often, that function may deteriorate or even be lost.3
Eco-friendliness and geopolitics
The future
When it comes to environmental impact, the debate is complicated. Factors include how often and how long people spend reading on paper and screens. According to one study, a tablet computer is worth its value in low environmental impact when over 22 books are read in a year.4 On the other hand, printed books are more eco-friendly if used by a child who reads only five or fewer books in a year. Online newspapers are more eco-friendly over short periods of up to half an hour and result in lower carbon dioxide emissions than reading a physical newspaper.5
So will print disappear? Its survival may depend on how e-books evolve and whether the publishing industry can reinvent itself, integrating big data from sales to fulfill demands of consumers. Personally, I can easily imagine reading an e-book version of Harry Potter with music and animation to match as in an interactive movie set in a virtual world. The boundary between writers and readers would then become blurred and co-creation or co-editing of content would be feasible. Print books could also come with more peoplefriendly, personalized features to adapt to the market, such as choice of font size. I believe both formats will stay, but the shift will be to e-books and choice of format will depend on situation and purpose.
For a closer look at eco-friendliness, the production chains for paper books and e-reading devices need to be taken into consideration [see table]. Even then, conclusions are equivocal. Paper book
Tablet for e-reading
Conclusion
Raw materials
Uses 1.47kg of minerals and water
Uses 15kg of minerals including some toxic materials, often mined in regions riven by political tension or war
Manufacturing
Consumes two kilowatt hours of fossil fuels and releases around 7.5kg of carbon dioxide
Consumes 100 kilowatts hours of fossil fuels Paper books are more and produces more than 30kg of carbon dioxide eco-friendly in the manufacturing process.
Transportation
Depends on whether purchased online or at a bookstore
Is produced outside Hong Kong and needs sea and/or land transport for delivery
Usage
Can save more energy if read during Need to read 40 to 50 books in order to daylight hours without electric lighting equal the fossil fuel use, water use, and mineral consumption of one e-reader.
It depends on how many books and how much time you spend reading
Disposal
Can be recycled (but China tightened its policy on waste paper imported from Hong Kong). May end up being dumped into a landfill
It depends on how waste is treated.
Can result in exposure to toxic substances in developing countries if not properly recycled
Read more • Lloyd, D Electronic readers versus printed material – an ecological comparison. Cal Poly State University, 2011. • digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1049&context=grcsp • How green is my iPad?” New York Times. 10 April 2010. archive.nytimes.com/www. nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/04/opinion/ 04opchart.html
Paper books are more eco-friendly in terms of raw materials.
It depends on where you buy it
Amy Law graduated from the University of Hong Kong in Education and Journalism. She is a fine art photographer and freelance educator and writer.
Sources 1. “Are paper books really disappearing?” BBC. 24 January, 2016. bbc.com/future/story/20160124-are-paper-books-really-disappearing 2. Zhang, Y & Kudva, S. E-books versus print books. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology 65(8), 1695-1706, 2014. doi: 10.1002/asi.23076 3. Your Paper brain and you Kindle brain aren’t the same thing. PRI. 18 September, 2014. pri.org/stories/2014-09-18/your-paper-brain-and-your-kindle-brain-arent-same-thing 4. Are e-readers greener than books? The New York Times. 31 August 2009. green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/are-e-readers-greener-than-books/ 5. Skip the Newspaper, Save the Planet?” The New York Times. 20 April 2009. nytimes.com/2009/04/20/technology/20green.html
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HKFYG September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
Talented young writers and much more M
emories and codes to live by shape the writing of three young authors published by HKFYG this year. Yeuk-hei, Katherine and Ying-ying stand out among new writers. Topics in HKFYG’s 2018 list range from sports to cooking and therapy.
Inspiration from “49 + 1 Life Codes” Katherine Cheung, like many young Hong Kong people, is full of optimism and ideas. She loves to share her feelings so she writes about her experience and the codes by which she lives. Every day, we deal with different people and daily routines, she says, whether you are a student, a working person or retired. What codes of conduct do you live by, she asks? What personal guidelines do you follow? Katherine introduces 49 codes with illustrations in 10 categories, including eating, communication, working and shopping. Here are some examples: • Code 35 Relationships Don’t just say “It’s good for you” in an attempt to control others. • Code 37 Communicating Saying “No” is not always a bad thing, it can be a sign of wisdom. • Code 41 Relaxing Making time for entertainment is good for you so don’t feel guilty. • C ode 14 Working Never push yourself to do things you don’t want to do for the sake of maintaining good relationships. There is a blank at the end of the book for readers to complete the 50th code. After all, Katherine says, no matter how many people tell you their opinion, only you can truly understand what you need and want from life. Contact us to share your life codes.
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Moment of Memories Lai Yeuk-hei, a very talented young lady, excels at making miniature models. Life-like local egg tarts are one sweet example. They adorn earrings and bracelets. She is also fascinated by people and her new book reflects both interests. As in food, so in life, there is more than one taste to savour, she says. Remember the sweetness of the bread you ate for breakfast as you rushed to school all through childhood? Was there a bitter moment that you remember from later in life? Or perhaps sharing a simple but spicy dish of rice every day is what you remember best, when it’s made by your lover. It’s that which gives you the strength to keep going. There are 15 stories to relish in Yeuk-hei’s book, tales of sweetness, sourness, bitterness, spiciness and saltiness. Reading these touching stories may recall your own past, whether the memories are good or bad. Yeuk-hei also introduces her mini-figures alongside her anecdotes and readers can follow her instructions to make their own.
Emotionary
best seller at the 2018 Hong Kong Book Fair
“I’m so angry!” The phrase is no stranger to anyone, but what you really feel may be more than just anger. Sometimes we feel wronged and frustrated as well, but we don’t always express the feelings or even realize we have them so we use the label “angry” for short. This book by Ying-ying names 50 common emotions and feelings, hoping to help some readers identify and understand better how they feel. Perhaps they might also find ways to deal with difficult emotions and feelings that have been upsetting them. Fifty emotions divided into five areas makes them easy to find and check. Listed in both Chinese and English, there is an explanation of what is meant by each term and blank space on the pages invites readers to add their own personal experience of feelings and the ways they deal with them. Emotions fascinate everyone and this book is written for people of all ages.
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HKFYG September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
HKFYG books 2018 Youth and the Law – Cases Analyzed by Lawyers and Social Workers 青年與法律 ISBN: 978-988-77134-2-5 Price: HK$90 • 50 real-life legal cases in 5 areas including theft, online crime and gang crime • Analysis by lawyers and social workers
Young Voices from Hong Kong Sports 香港代表──運動．有一種信念 ISBN: 978-988-77133-8-8 Price: HK$100 • 10 cheering stories from 13 sports representatives • Introduction to new sports • Group running, rope skipping, rock climbing etc
Turning Point III 重新出發 III ISBN: 978-988-77134-3-2 Price: HK$90 • 8 real stories of young people who have done wrong and then begun a new life with the help of people who cared • Assessment by outreach workers • Suggestions to parents, teachers and others concerned with youth at risk
Cooking for You 為你烹調 ISBN: 978-988-77133-9-5 Price: HK$100 • 15 recipes with ingredients • QR codes for readers to watch the videos • Stories of food and learning to cook
5 Lessons for Therapists 治療導航──心靈輔導 5 堂課 ISBN: 978-988-77133-5-7 Price: HK$100 • 5 lessons and examples: Zentangle, music therapy, game therapy • For professionals and for self-help • Sharing from students
Jobtionary (Hong Kong Airport) 職業字典（機場篇） ISBN: 978-988-77134-5-6 Price: HK$200 • Introducing jobs at airports • Illustrated with cartoons • Useful facts on careers in the industry
Nurture Your Kid - 12 Ideas 培育子女成才的 12 道密碼 ISBN: 978-988-77134-1-8 Price: HK$100 • 12 ideas for parents who nurture kids • Views shared by community leaders • Jasper Tsang, school principal Chu Tsz-wing and Gammy Kwok
49 + 1 Life Codes 49+1 生活原則 [see page 40] ISBN: 978-988-77133-6-4 Price: HK$90 • 49 life codes • 10 categories including work & relationships • Illustrated with cartoons
Emotionary 情緒字典 [see page 41] ISBN: 978-988-77134-0-1 Price: HK$100 • Introducing 50 emotions • Young people explain their emotions • Readers invited to explore their own feelings
Moment of Memories 細細個嗰一刻 [see page 41] ISBN: 978-988-77133-7-1 Price: HK$100 • Touching local stories • Flavours of local Hong Kong food specialties • Illustrated with cute mini figurines and mini models HK Postcards 「郵」歷香港 ISBN: 978-988-77134-4-9 Price: HK$120 • 40 postcards for all 4 seasons • Hong Kong scenes by local young artists • Comments from volunteer Hong Kong Young Ambassadors
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Enquiries Ada Chau tel 3755 7108 More details cps.hkfyg.org.hk !
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high priority for growing businesses is a well-positioned outlet for innovative products. To meet the need, HKFYG has just opened a new promotion platform in a hip part of Central.
Competitive edge, face to face contact and a shop window that attracts potential customers count as value-added extras in today’s era of online shopping. A real retail outlet also gives young entrepreneurs a great chance to focus on a target clientele and an opportunity to grow their business.
Products now in stock
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• IT and home gadgets • Travel and personal accessories • Watches and gifts
• Shiftcam Innovative gadgets, Red Dot Award-Winner 2018 • By Leona Original, fun, sophisticated yet practical porcelain, bone china and mixed media products with oriental themes • Foampresso High-tech, user-friendly device that turns any dull drink into fun and classy refreshment • Anchorchef USB-rechargeable vacuum sealer machine: Perfect gadget for your kitchen
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HKFYG September 2018 | Youth Hong Kong
by Linus Mak creative commons
Cultural ambassadors explore and share T Built heritage, intangible cultural heritage and environmental heritage – these all form part of the new programme designed for senior secondary and undergraduate students who are keen to learn about conservation and pass on what they know. Hong Kong’s history in both its urban and rural areas is what makes it unique. Many of the students who take part have a background interest in the highways and byways of local history. Their forthcoming visits will focus on the growth and development of North District, its villages and communities, its people and the stories. Impressions of oral and visual history form the backdrop to the programme, with heritage building that houses the HKFYG Leadership Institute as the start point. Gathering local inhabitants’ stories, designing tours and learning to be storytellers are all integral.
by Sam Wu creative commons
his HKFYG Leadership Institute partnership programme with American Express trains young volunteers as tour guides. First, they learn more about Hong Kong’s fascinating cultural heritage.
Themes of cultural tours • • • •
Life at the grassroots Walled villages Intangible cultural heritage Hong Kong farming and fishing
Training workshops • • • •
Cultural tour development Tour guiding skills Presentation and story-telling Mock Tour training with role play
HKFYG Leadership Institute Cultural Ambassador Programme Funded by American Express Guest Speakers From the University of Hong Kong: Dr Lee Ho-yin Faculty of Architecture Dr John D Wong Hong Kong Studies Dr Michael Ng Faculty of Law Plus: Mr Jason Tang Registered Architect and Hong Kong Design Institute Mr Chan Hon-lam Luen Wo Land Investment Company Limited Walk in Hong Kong Enquiries Sharyn Ng and Eva Wong 2169 0255 The HKFYG Leadership Institute, 302 Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories Email info@leadershipinstitute.hk Web leadershipinstitute.hk/ 46
by Martin Ng flic.kr/p/9Kf1fx
Speaking out on land for housing
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new HKFYG Leadership Institute dialogue series is giving young leaders an excellent chance to be heard in public. The first discussion was on the thorny issue of land supply.
Record-shattering home prices have sparked criticism that land supply in Hong Kong is too limited for the number of flats needed. In response, a government Task Force asked for comment on 18 proposals. Some proposals are contentious, such as more reclamation, building on the fringes of country parks and developing land occupied by premises under private recreational leases. Other options include the development of brownfield sites, the creation of caverns and other underground spaces. Members of the Federation's HK200 Leadership Project and Youth IDEAS think tank ran an online survey to which hundreds of young Hongkongers responded. Main findings are in the box below.
The survey was followed by a sharing session in August with guests from the Task Force and other prominent members of the community. View online discussion m21.hk/youthspeak/
Guests
• Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai, SBS, JP, Chairman
• Dr Greg Wong Chak-yan, BBS, JP, Vice-chairman • Mr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing GBM, GBS, JP • Prof Jimmy Leung Cheuk-fai, SBS
• Prof Francis Lui Ting-ming, BBS, JP Programme name Youth Speak
Organized by HKFYG Leadership Institute School of Public Engagement & School of Communications, Enquiries Jacky Yeung 2169 0255
What do youth think? Reclamation
u Overall views on government acquisition of land through reclamation are split equally. u 80% are not very familiar with proposed government reclamation strategies. •
Over 60% think wrongly that proposed future reclamation includes both shorelines of Victoria Harbour.
• Of those who agree to reclamation, over 75% think the large amount of land generated could increase flexibility of overall town planning. u Over 70% think that any new land generated by reclamation should be for residential purposes.
• Of those who disagree to reclamation, over 70% think it will destroy Hong Kong’s ecosystem.
• Among the other 30%, suggestions for other options included more space for startups (over 60%) and cultural/ recreational land use (about 50%). Land use and Private Recreational Leases ver 85% respondents think that the biggest disagreement on private recreational leases concerns the balance of u O benefits among stakeholders. u Over 70% respondents think that land covered by Private Recreational Leases should be partially re-developed.
u 7 5% think that land now occupied by premises under private recreational leases were open for redevelopment, the extra land should be used for residential purposes. 47
Liberal studies: benefits and issues
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here has been much discussion and debate regarding teaching and assessment methods since the implementation of a liberal studies curriculum in 2009. How useful is it?
In 2009, the New Academic Structure was implemented in Hong Kong. Liberal studies was also introduced at Secondary 4 level as one of four core subjects for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination.1 The objective of Liberal Studies is to broaden students’ knowledge base and enhance their social awareness, through studying a wide range of issues2. Key points from respondents 94.4% of teachers believed that liberal studies nurtured thinking from multiple perspectives and 60%-70% of them said the subject could help students communicate, express themselves better, think independently and have better skills in connecting different disciplines. 83.3% of youth agreed that liberal studies helped them to think from multiple perspectives but only about 30-44% thought it could help improve the other skills mentioned above. In-depth interviews with 12 young people thought that liberal studies issues were difficult and changed constantly. They said that non-stop practice with past exam papers was a major challenge.
Comments from Youth I.D.E.A.S. think tank members David Wong, convener Both the teachers and students in this survey confirmed the value of liberal studies as a senior secondary school subject. Many students who had already left school thought it helped with further studies, training and employment.
Jay Chan & George Chan, group members There is a 7-point grading system but about 90% of candidates got grade 2 or above so simplifying the grading, while in the view of some teachers, it would reflect students’ ability inaccurately, and might have adverse effects in the long run. Daneil Cheung & Derren Lam, group members Implementing a new curriculum with matching teaching, learning and assessment strategies involves a heavy workload and is challenging for teachers. We recommend better collaboration, with liberal studies resource centres set up jointly by local universities and government. A handbook on concept building would also be useful. Annual subsidies of HK$HK200,000 for liberal studies teaching assistants are also recommended.
Report No.30 HKFYG Youth I.D.E.A.S. Education and Innovation group Published title Improving liberal studies in senior secondary education Respondents 126 liberal studies teachers and 861 HKFYG members aged 17-24 More details [in Chinese] yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/2018/06/19/yio30/ Enquiries Chan Shui-ching 3755 7040 1. The four core subjects are Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics (Compulsory Part) and Liberal Studies.
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2. Curriculum Development Council and Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (2007, updated November 2015). Liberal Studies Curriculum and Assessment Guide (Secondary 4 – 6). http://334.edb. hkedcity.net/new/doc/chi/curriculum2015/LS_CAGuide_e_2015.pdf
Employment for the young-olds
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his is the first of two recent studies that look at ways of tackling problems created by an ageing population. It asks what can be done to encourage those in the “younger old” age-bracket to continue or return to the workforce.* Turn to page 50 for the second study. Population ageing is increasingly evident and the phenomenon is reflected in Hong Kong’s shrinking labour force. It was 59.2% in 2016 and is forecast to fall to 49.6% by 2066, probably hindering overall economic development in Hong Kong.
Key problems from the young-olds' perspective • • • •
Lack of up-to-date job skills Negative image commonly associated with more elderly people Complicated worker insurance procedures Insufficiently flexible job vacancies to meet their needs
Comments from Youth I.D.E.A.S. think tank members
2017 Labour Force Participation Rates Age
Singapore
Japan
South Korea Hong Kong
55-59
74.9%
83.0%
74.2%
67.8%
60-64
63.6%
68.1%
62.5%
45.8%
65 or above
26.8%
23.5%
31.5%
10.7%
Sources • stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Labour-Force-In-Singapore-2017.aspx • stat.go.jp • stats.oecd.org/ • censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp200.jsp?tableID=008&ID=0&productType=8. [Hong Kong figures in the table are for the 4th quarter 2017]
Key points from younger survey respondents • 71.7% support the idea of employment for young-olds • 28.1% think there should be no upper working age limit When asked about possible negative outcomes of retired people continuing to work, these were average ratings on a scale of 0-10: • Likelihood of reduced youth employment opportunities 3.83 • Probability of fewer promotion opportunities 4.66
Ernest Chan, convener Employment for the young-olds not only has a beneficial effect on the shrinking labour force, it can also enhance health and personal development of senior citizens. Since the labour force participation rate of young-olds in Hong Kong is low compared to other Asian countries, we recommend that government tax concessions are made to encourage enterprises to hire at least 3% of people in the young-old age bracket. Tony Lau, group member Given that the government recognizes the value of employment for the young-olds, it should take the lead in creating flexible jobs which meet their abilities. It should also adjust its own employment patterns and those of subvented organizations while developing an employment scheme with career planning, training and job market information for senior citizens. Manson Chow, group member Complicated worker insurance procedures for young-olds may discourage employers, so the government should encourage the insurance sector to set up standards for worker insurance premiums up to the age of 75. It should also subsidize employers by offering them the difference in premiums that applies to employees aged 65 or above.
Report No.31 HKFYG Youth I.D.E.A.S. Employment and Economic Development group Published title Encouraging Young-Olds Employment Respondents 520 18-34 year-olds were surveyed. 20 young-old people aged 55-74 and 6 experts or scholars were interviewed. More details [in Chinese] yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/2018/06/26/yio31/ Enquiries Amy Yuen 3755 7037 *Note Those aged 55-74 are considered the “young old” in this survey.
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Having children or not
L
onger lifespans and the low birth rate are both contributing to the rapid ageing of the Hong Kong population. 1.16 million people were aged over 65 in 2016 and this is expected to double to 2.37 million by 2036. The elderly dependency ratio is also expected to double. What is the reponse of young people?
According to World Bank data, Hong Kong’s birth rate of 1.205 was the world’s third lowest out of 247, just behind South Korea and Singapore. It has been declining over recent decades, from 2.1 – the optimal number – in 1979 to 1.205 in 2016. A low birth rate represents a heavy burden for Hong Kong as it will result in a reduced labour force and an increased elderly dependency ratio.
Key points from respondents • 18.5% intend to have no children • 71.4% fear the financial burden of having children • 59.3% see bringing up children as taking on a huge responsibility • 54.9% consider housing problems to be a disincentive Nevertheless, on average, respondents wanted 1 or 2 children. • 71.1% say the main reason is wanting “a complete family” • 71.3% believed the ideal family should have two children • 50.2% only actually planned to have two children • 68.5% say children enhance family life • 66.8% say they want children because they love them • 5.8% believe the ideal family is childless
Comments from Youth I.D.E.A.S. think tank members Alan Yip, convener, & Calvin Lam, group member Surveyed youth generally agree that raising kids is a significant financial burden so we recommend that the government makes reference to the Baby Bonus Scheme in Singapore. If this model were followed, families would receive a HK$25,000 childbirth cash allowance for each of the first two children and a further HK$30,000 for subsequent children. We also suggest granting parental leave of six days a year to parents with children under 6 so that they can spend more time with their kids. Paul Lee & Carly Liu, group members The government should increase the number of subsidized childcare service places. There are only 12 childcare centres in Hong Kong. In the short term, there should be at least one in each district. For the long term, the government should set up a minimum childcare ratio and re-plan childcare service places according to the child population in each district. Furthermore, as a starting point, maternity leave should be increased from 10 to 14 weeks and paternity leave from three to five days. The government should also regularly review the length of maternity and paternity leave in order to meet the needs of the society.
Report No.32 HKFYG Youth I.D.E.A.S. Society and Livelihood group Published title Boosting [the] Birth Rate in Hong Kong Respondents 520 20-39 year-olds More details [in Chinese] yrc.hkfyg.org.hk/2018/07/26/yio32/
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