KELY Support Group is a non-profit organisation on a mission to destigmatise mental health in Hong Kong. KELY Programme Manager Cindy Ng tells Hive Life how they’re helping the city’s youth.
In just the last year, Hong Kong has experienced political chaos, civil tension, violent unrest, a global pandemic and a subsequent recession. Given all the ongoing discord, it’s no wonder that more and more Hong Kongers are said to be struggling with their mental health, with a third of adults reporting symptoms of PTSD, according to a University of Hong Kong survey.
The Special Administrative Region has a well-documented history of pervasive mental health issues among students and children stemming, in part, from the city’s strong emphasis on academic achievement. Looking to change that narrative is KELY Support Group, a non-profit organisation that provides support to Hong Kong youths with a special focus on mental health and well-being, drug and alcohol awareness, as well as positive youth development. With numerous programmes, resources, and workshops in place, KELY endeavours to get parents, educators, and students on the same page when it comes to emotional vulnerability and openness. Cindy Ng, Programme Manager from KELY Support Group, tells Hive Life what it’s been like for Hong Kong’s youths in the last year and what needs to be done to tackle mental health issues among adolescents.
What is KELY Support Group?
KELY is a youth organisation that works with young people aged 14 to 24. Our mission is to empower youths to reach their full potential by equipping them with the life skills and opportunities to not only help themselves but their peers and those around them too. Peer support is one of our main focuses, as well as mental health and well-being, drug and alcohol awareness, and positive youth development.
In your experience, what are Hong Kong youths’ attitudes towards mental health?
I’ve seen a shift in the things that young people care about. In the past few years, we’ve seen the media reporting on rising suicide rates and the last year has been particularly difficult. They would rather keep their feelings to themselves, but if they’re in an open environment, people start talking openly and are more aware of their own mental well-being.
Do a lot of the young people who come to KELY seeking help have other safe avenues to address their mental health?
We do have young people from different schools who are actually quite vocal and talk about mental health in their support groups at school. But we also have young people in schools that don’t even know who their social worker is. I think it also depends on the culture. It depends on what kind of background they come from. I think a lot of young people learn from each other, so if something happens at school or to the