An explanation of The Green Ribbon Campaign in Cantonese.
How to support the Green ribbon campaign in HK in October 2022?
1. Wear a green ribbon or a touch of green on World Mental Health Awareness Week, Day and OCD Awareness Week (2nd-15th October 2022)
2. Post a photo of yourself, friends, employees wearing a touch of green, green ribbon or mask and tag us on our Facebook and instagram page https://www.facebook.com/ocdanxietyhk and https://www.instagram.com/ocdahk/?hl=en
“We at (name of individual or supporting organisation) support mental wellbeing and sufferers of mental health disorders. We (tag yourself) are partners of OCD & Anxiety Support Hong Kong (tag OCDAHK on our social media channels) Green Ribbon Campaign to raise Mental Health Awareness and eliminate stigma in Hong Kong and across the globe. We recognise that mental health disorders are not a choice and deserve the same attention as those struggling with physical health disorders. We encourage individuals struggling with mental health problems to seek help and support them on their recovery journey”.
3. Send us a short video (10-30 seconds) by 8th October 2022 saying what you do to support mental health awareness during World Mental Health Awareness Month or share it on your social media channels tagging us on our Facebook and instagram page https://www.facebook.com/ocdanxietyhk and https://www.instagram.com/ocdahk/?hl=en
4. Purchase green ribbons pins for your school company to raise awareness of mental health in October. For more details view https://www.ocdanxietyhk.org/greenribbonpackages and email ocdcommunityhk@gmail.com
FOR SCHOOLS
Renaissance College Students participate in Green Ribbon Day October 2019
World Mental Health Day 2019 - Top Tips to reduce Stress and Anxiety by teens for teenagers- Renaissance College
Why is the Green Ribbon Campaign important at schools and for the youth?
The youth of today is the future tomorrow and it is our responsibility to support them to be successful and a critical part of this is learning to identify and understand our emotions, mind and coping with stressors. Adolescents go through major physical, emotional and mental changes throughout puberty, which is stressful and require support, care, good listening and non- judgment.
Teenagers and Youth are going through a high level of stress that has been exacerbated by Covid-19
According to WHO, an estimated 20% of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from a disabling mental illness (2003).
1. In Hong Kong, the overall prevalence estimate of mental health disorders among the adolescents is 16.4%. (Leung et al, 2008). The most common mental health disorders in HK are anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder (CUHK, 2012).
3. In a HK study conducted by Lam et al (2015), it was found that women and youth are the most vulnerable groups and most susceptible to mental illness. They had higher rates of any common mental health disorder (anxiety and depression) than any other group
4. Teenage suicide rates in HK have increased drastically and were at its highest during 2016-2017. This can be attributed to the increased pressure in the education system, increase in time online and on social media and a lack of family time as both parents are working to keep up with the high cost of living in HK (HSRC).
5. Six out of 10 children said they had hurt themselves or others to deal with pressure of Covid 19 and not being able to go to school i.e. tearing hair out, hurting themselves (HKFMA,2021)
6. Due to social distancing and lockdown regulations, children could not find a channel to release their stress (by doing sports or by hanging out with friends) (HKFYG, 2020).
7. Youth aged between 18 – 24, have reported symptoms of PTSD (46%) or depression (50%) (due to social unrest & COVID) (HKU Dept. of Psychiatry, 2020)
What can we do to help this problem?
We can take an active role in raising awareness of mental health at schools to the community; students, staff and parents. Moreover, we must make it a priority to give students mental health education so they know the signs of symptoms of common mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression and ways to cope with it so they can help themselves and their peers. Parents must be given mental health education too so they understand the challenges that youth face today, how to assist them and to let go of stigma associated with it. Early identification of mental health disorders through education and awareness leads to early intervention and more success with recovery.
Here are some ways your school can support World Mental Health Month and be part of OCDAHK’s mission to improve wellbeing in our community.
1. Host a Casual Day to support OCDAHK’s Green Ribbon Campaign anytime during Mental Health Awareness Month (October 1-31st) inviting students to pay $10- $20HKD to dress casual with a touch of green in support of mental health. This will support our Green Ribbon Campaign initiative to raise awareness of mental health, reduce stigma and show support to people with mental health disorders. The colour green symbolises mental health, wearing a touch of green or a green ribbon gives hope, acknowledges, validates suffering experienced by sufferers of mental illness, as well as shows solidarity with their family, friends and caregivers. All proceeds will go to OCDAHK. In exchange for your support, OCDAHK would be happy to deliver a short (15-20 minute) mental health awareness talk on zoom to students at no cost. To learn more about the green ribbon campaign please visit https://www.ocdanxietyhk.org/green-ribbon-campaign
2. Take part in our social media campaigns to support mental health sufferers by stating what you do to support your mental health and tag us on Facebook @ocdanxietyhk and Instagram @ocdahk
3. Donate to OCDAHK. All proceeds will go towards providing counselling to those who cannot afford treatment, outreach work for youth and disadvantaged communities struggling with mental health issues and the provision of more targeted support group meetings for sufferers of mental illness. You can donate via our HSBC bank account or by paypal on our website https://www.ocdanxietyhk.org/donate-index-impact
If your school is interested is getting involved in the Green Ribbon Campaign, please email ocdcommunityhk@gmail.com for more information on the topics and packages available for schools.
FOR CORPORATES
Why is the Green Ribbon Campaign important in the workplace?
1. Poor mental health reduces productivity and engagement in the workplace in HK by 30% (Sanders, 2014). Poor mental health is a huge cost to both employers and employees and significantly reduces corporate profit. Poor mental health of employees leads to absenteeism, presenteeism, reduced efficiency, low morale, impaired concentration and social withdrawal.
2. The work culture in HK is highly competitive, demanding, versatile and fast paced resulting in Hongkongers experiencing high levels of stress with 60% suffering from work related stress and 50% of employees feeling that they have poor mental health (OSHC, 2015).
3. Hong Kong clocked up the longest weekly working hours amongst 71 cities working hours, at 51.1 (UBS, 2016). This is a shocking 38% more that the global average of 36 hours and 23 minutes.
4. 60% of employees reported that there were no measures in place at their workspace to raise awareness of mental health (OCDAHK, 2018)
5. To demonstrate to current employees that it is okay to struggle with mental wellbeing and it is safe to talk about it without discrimination and with support. Also, to encourage potential employees to apply to your firm knowing that it cares about the wellbeing of their employees.
Please email us at ocdcommunityhk@gmail.com or view Green Ribbon Packages 2022 on our website to learn more about the Green Ribbon Packages that corporates can buy.
