Yung Ka-yan (centre) won an award for showing she was mentally tough. A scheme to improve students’ mental health has gained support from many schools and students. The Committee on Home-School Cooperation, University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) Department of Social Work and Social Administration, and Ocean Park, launched the Happy Kids Bountiful Life Award Scheme 2017 last Thursday.
About 490 schools and 6,700 students have taken part in this year’s scheme, which encourages students to be positive and thankful.
Fifteen students will receive awards and admission tickets to Ocean Park.
HKU professor, Paul Yip Siu-fai, said the scheme could improve young people’s mental health. “This scheme encourages them to record why they are happy and how they can help others.”
Yung Ka-yan, a Form Four student from Chan Shu Kui Memorial School, received an award for showing mental toughness and caring for others.
“I was once very depressed because my exams were full of teachers’ comments. Some would think the comments were harsh, but what I saw was all positive feedback,” said the 16-year-old, adding that students should speak up when they are unhappy.