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When life unspools – whether through the transition into young adulthood, a career change, or the physical and emotional journey of postpartum recovery – we learn a crucial truth: mental health is not static. It works in a fluid state, waxing and waning – sometimes fiercely, sometimes subtly – always according to the unpredictable rhythms of life. This is why mental health charity Mind HK has chosen “Navigating Life’s Defining Moments” as the theme of its third Hong Kong international conference, which runs from November 6 to 8 at Hotel Icon in Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong. Medical professionals and people with personal experience of mental health struggles will gather to share research and stories. Candice Powell, Mind HK’s chief executive officer, says, “We want to publicly emphasise that mental health is part of life’s journey. It’s not just a clinical condition, but more like a journey that we all will encounter.” Carol Liang, Mind HK’s deputy chief executive officer and conference chair, says the conference aims to explore how everything in life – relationship ruptures, work and school, and milestones in childhood and adolescence – shapes our mental condition. The mental and emotional well-being of expectant and new parents, life transitions, grief, bereavement and end-of-life care – some of which are seen as taboo subjects – feature prominently on the conference agenda. Medical professionals and delegates from 10 countries will participate. Psychologists and psychiatrists will join endocrine surgeons, obstetricians and gynaecologists, social workers and others. “We’re looking to be a lot more holistic, and look at how people can work together and [how we can] learn from each other,” Liang says. In his keynote address, Dr Dinesh Bhugra, a professor of mental health and diversity at King’s College London, will discuss how social identities – cultural, ethnic, gender and sexual orientation, and “class” – shape how individuals see themselves and interact with society. They also affect how they seek psychological help and how psychiatric clinicians perceive them as patients. Bhugra told the Post that, in the UK, “we are dealing with ethnic minorities who don’t seek help because they feel that the [health provider] or the medical system will not understand them”. Cultural competency is the key to improving the mental health industry, he says. Bhugra’s peers in Hong Kong have researched filial piety, noting how city residents may be reluctant to seek mental healthcare due to familial responsibilities and respect for elders. “So that’s part of the challenge of cultural competency – acknowledging these cultural differences with respect”, when providing care to marginalised communities, he says. Having visited Hong Kong multiple times, Bhugra understands that culture is not homogeneous. Even within the city, where areas vary significantly by racial and financial background, mental healthcare must take into account complex local differences. Psychology is a Western discipline, Bhugra says, but his research aims to bring cultural and societal context into mental health treatment. While the conference will prioritise bringing the most successful international models to Hong Kong, according to Liang, it will also focus on sharing Hong Kong’s best practices. “It is a learning experience for both sides … Hong Kong has been doing amazing work, and it should be shared on a global platform,” she says. One of the Hong Kong experts is Dr Connie Chong Yuen-yu. An associate professor at the Nethersole School of Nursing at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, she led the research team behind Pai.Act – an AI-driven chatbot designed to provide personalised acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) care. “Current mental health systems are constrained by three persistent barriers: prohibitive costs, long waiting times – particularly for parents of children with special educational needs – and a critical shortage of clinicians trained in ACT.” Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, can deliver “immediate, 24/7 access to evidence-based psychological skills training at a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy”. Chong’s session on November 7 will also tackle the limitations and risks of AI in healthcare. She warns that “while AI can mimic supportive language, it cannot truly replace the depth and authenticity of a real human relationship”. This is why the Pai.Act model has users start with AI-guided ACT sessions, then slowly progress to live online sessions with trained human ACT counsellors as needed. “This design safeguards against overreliance on AI in high-need cases,” Chong says. As the founder of a nurse-led technology, Chong urges people not to overlook the specific role of nurses. Unlike doctors, whose focus is often on diagnosis and medical management, “nurses like to bring a holistic perspective”. ACT intervention becomes more effective when health providers use empathy and communication to understand the patient’s broader social contexts and life challenges. Day three of the conference is a mental well-being festival that is open to the public. On November 8, people who have experienced mental health struggles will share their recovery journeys. These include Hong Kong actress Rosa Maria Velasco, actress and singer Crystal Cheung, RubberBand vocalist Mau Hou-cheong and singer-songwriter Serrini. Their stories are central in addressing the culture of mental health – how a person experiences, talks about and seeks help based on their background, “not just the diagnosis itself”, says Powell. That is why this festival is crucial to Mind HK’s mission. “Culture is how we talk about [mental health], how we understand it and how we interact with people who have [mental health struggles].” “Everyone plays a part in it – not just the professionals, not just the person who is having the challenges, but everyone,” she says. For details or to register, visit the Hong Kong International Mental Health Conference website. Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.
