Mental Health First Aid Course

Centum Charitas Foundation (CCF) held the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course successfully on November 2, 2024 (Saturday), in the Lu Plaza, Kwun Tong. The event was greatly supported by The Hong Kong Mental Wellness Association (HKMWA), aiming to enhance secondary school students’ understanding of mental health and teach them how to provide peer support for friends or classmates who may face mental distress.

The workshop was very informative, including discerning the signs of mental health issues and crises, instructing how to engage in supportive conversations with peers experiencing mental health problems, and explaining the Standard Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) action plan. Acquiring these knowledge and skills will help the students to assist their peers more effectively when facing emotional challenges.

The workshop attracted 25 participants totally, including the mentees of the “Strive and Rise Programme”, the awardees of the “Young STEAM Talent Award” and the students from other Secondary schools. Dr May Lam, Specialist in Psychiatry, the Founder and President of HKMWA, Dr. Flora Ko, Occupational Therapist, conducted the workshop in an engaging and interactive manner, allowing the students to absorb the essence of mental health in a relaxed atmosphere.

During the extensive 3-hour learning process, the students not only improved their understanding of mental health knowledge but also mastered relevant practical skills, enhancing their empathy and emergency response capabilities. In the end, each students received the MHFA certificate, symbolizing a significant step they have taken towards promoting a healthy campus environment.

In the end of the workshop, Ms. Cora Chu Yuet Yu, Secretary General of CCF, presented the certificate of appreciation to Dr. May Lam, and Dr. Flora Ko, to express gratitude for their professional guidance and voluntary assistance. This workshop not only provided students with an opportunity to learn about mental health but also laid the foundation for establishing a more supportive school campus culture.