Mind HK shares unseen mental health struggles in fundraising campaign

Local mental health charity Mind HK is raising funds for its Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT) programme, sharing the mental health challenges of eight individuals with the public.

Launched in 2022, the iACT programme aims to offer free low-intensity, professional, one-on-one psychological support for individuals experiencing emotional difficulties.

Also known as “Unseen struggles”, the fundraising campaign features these heartfelt narratives, accompanied by personal photos and genuine reflections, aiming to bring these "unseen struggles" to light, raise awareness, and deepen public understanding of mental health. It will run until end of December 2024. 

One of the participants is Yvette Kong, Olympic swimmer and lululemon mental wellbeing global advisory board member, who said, "During the holidays, it’s easy to overlook the struggles many face. I've been there, and letting the unseen be seen was my first step in overcoming adversities. It required courage to uncover my struggles and seek help from those around me. As my vulnerabilities were seen, so was my strength and authenticity. Together, we can turn hidden struggles into stories of hope and resilience".

In addition to raising awareness of these real-life stories, the campaign’s goal is to raise HK$400,000 by the end of December, which will enable the organisation to provide essential psychological support to more than 165 people in need. Mind HK will continue to expand the iACT programme, offering evidence-based psychological therapy free of charge.

The funds raised for the iACT programme will provide evidence-based, psychological interventions for individuals with mild to moderate depression or anxiety. Guided by Mind HK trained professional wellbeing practitioners, participants will learn how to acknowledge and accept their emotions and acquire tools to help manage them.

Mind HK hopes that through iACT and campaigns, individuals struggling with mental health problems will feel safe to open up and engage in candid conversations. The nonprofit also wants to draw attention to the fact that the festive season may not be merry for everyone, with the added pressure to feel joyful it can be a difficult time emotionally.

Mind HK’s partner lululemon will also provide match funding for the “Unseen struggles” campaign, allowing donors to double their donation for the second week of the campaign.

Donors who contribute over HK$500 will be gifted a special Mind HK “Seasons Greetings” card designed by artist Erin Hung and adapted from her limited edition "Snakes and Ladders" series designed earlier this year, especially for Mind HK.

The campaign was also developed based on Mind HK's research done in partnership with a local cross-university research team from September 2023 to April 2024. The data reveals that over 65% of those seeking help presented with clinically mild to moderate symptoms of depression, while over 65% also showed symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety.

Notably, nearly 40% of these individuals exhibited both depressive and anxious symptoms. The effectiveness assessment shows that over 70% of individuals with symptoms of depression or anxiety significantly improved after receiving treatment; nearly 65% of those with more severe symptoms recovered after two or more sessions.

Candice Powell, CEO, Mind HK, said, "This campaign illuminates the often invisible burden of depression and anxiety—a burden that too many carry in silence. In a society that prizes happiness and independence, the internal battles of individuals frequently go unnoticed, masked behind a facade of normalcy."

"By sharing these heartfelt stories, we not only aim to foster understanding and encourage conversations about mental health, but also to challenge the stigmatising notion that we must always appear strong and self-sufficient. Our mission with this campaign is to expand our iACT service in the coming year, ensuring timely early intervention for those in need. With your support, we can transform these hidden struggles into powerful narratives of hope and resilience" Powell added.

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