HKMU launched the first round of a 12-hour MHFA course last September. Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, Vice President (Research and Institutional Advancement) (centre); Ms Adele Wan Tik-lam, Director of Student Affairs (second left); and Ms Ivy Kwok Yuen-ming, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Nursing (first left). Students Shirley Chen Suet-kam (second right) and Yali Lam Nga-lee (first right) shared the latest progress and what they have learnt in the course.
Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, Vice President (Research and Institutional Advancement), notes that HKMU aims to foster a supportive and caring campus through wide-ranging mental health education and support.
Ms Adele Wan Tik-lam, Director of Student Affairs, is encouraged by the students' positive feedback.
Ms Ivy Kwok Yuen-ming, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Nursing, is heartened to see students gain a deeper understanding of the experience of those struggling with emotional and mental health challenges through the course.
Yali Lam Nga-lee says that attending the MHFA course helped her realise that she might be grappling with emotional difficulties and motvated her to seek counselling.
Shirley Chen Suet-kam (second right) actively participates in volunteer work to apply what she has learnt from the course and promote mental health awareness.
The first round of a 12-hour mental health first aid (MHFA) course at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) showed encouraging results. The course evaluation survey indciates that over 90% of students reported increased confidence in identifying mental health risk factors and supporting others with mental health challenges. To implement “train the trainer” approach, the first batch of faculty members and staff have completed their training and become course instructors, further enhancing the University's capacity to identify and address students' mental health needs.
HKMU launched a three-year university-wide mental health promotion scheme (the Scheme) last year, providing support across three key dimensions. A cornerstone of this initiative is a mandatory MHFA course for all first-year, face-to-face undergraduate students, introduced in September 2024. The course equips students with basic skills in recognising and responding to mental health challenges.
Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, HKMU Vice President (Research and Institutional Advancement), underscored the University's dedication to student mental well-being which is vital for their growth and development. “Through wide-ranging mental health education and support, we aim to foster a supportive and caring campus,” he said. “This reflects our mission to nurture resilient, compassionate individuals who can face future challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.” He hopes that mental health education will enable young people to help themselves and others, achieving a long-term “butterfly effect”.
Over 2,000 students have completed the course
Accredited by the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MHAHK), the 12-hour MHFA course equips students with essential skills to identify early signs of mental health concerns, apply mental health first aid principles, seek timely support and guide peers towards professional resources, as appropriate. It also covers common mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders and psychosis.
From September 2024 to late March 2025, more than 2,000 students completed the course, earning an internationally recognised certificate validating their ability to provide initial mental health support.
In a post-course evaluation questionnaire completed by the students, 94% of respondents reported greater confidence in identifying risk factors for mental health issues, and the same percentage felt better equipped to support others facing mental health issues; and 93% reported more confidence in supporting others facing mental health challenges.
More confident in supporting others with mental health challenges
The survey also found that the course helped reduce the stigma of mental illness, with 94% of the respondents reporting improved confidence in seeking mental illness information, and 68% expressing interest in participating in community service to promote mental well-being.
Ms Adele Wan Tik-lam, Director of Student Affairs, said she was encouraged by the students' positive feedback. “This feedback show that our students have gained awareness and knowledge, equipping them with valuable skills for lifelong mental well-being, which could be beneficial for themselves and the people around them,” she said.
Yali Lam Nga-lee, a student in the Bachelor of Education with Honours (Chinese Language Teaching) and Bachelor of Language Studies with Honours (Applied Chinese Language Studies) programmes, was a caregiver of her great-grandmother during her final days. She was profoundly shaken by her passing. Once a cheerful and sociable person, Yali became quiet and withdrawn, avoiding social events and even welling up at the sight of someone resembling her great-grandmother on the street.
Only when she attended the MHFA course did she realise that she might be grappling with emotional difficulties, which led her to seek counselling. She recalled, “After one session, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head – I realised I needed to talk to someone. This was an unexpected benefit of the course. After meeting with a counsellor, I felt relieved.”
Helping students to help themselves
She believes that the course can help students help themselves. “It showed me that others can get where I'm coming from, and I can turn to professionals, online emotional support platforms or community mental health centres.” Since then, Yali has grown more sensitive to her friends' emotions, applying what she learned to support them. “Communication isn't just about words – it's the little things, too. A pat on the shoulder or a hug to say 'I'm here' can go a long way.”
Shirley Chen Suet-kam, studying in the Bachelor of Education with Honours (Putonghua and Chinese Language Education) and Bachelor of Language Studies with Honours (Chinese Linguistic Studies) programmes, is the eldest sibling in her family. Facing pressure from a family member's illness and financial struggles at home, she understands better than many of her peers how unresolved stress can lead to mental health issues. Passionate about helping others, she chose education as her major and considers mental health awareness a vital part of this.
Her own struggles have fuelled her drive to assist others, as she knows the pain of facing difficulties alone. “Helping others feels like helping myself,” she said. Beyond her busy studies and part-time work, she volunteers at a social welfare organisation, supporting Primary Six students with the stress of transitioning to secondary school, putting her knowledge into practice.
Enhancing counselling services to help students face challenges
The Scheme also aims to train teachers and staff as MHFA instructors. A first cohort of thirteen staff members and two counsellors completed the “train the trainer” programme, and nine of them have already started teaching the MHFA courses at HKMU.
Ms Ivy Kwok Yuen-ming, a senior lecturer in the School of Health and Nursing, is one of the new instructors for the course. Though she is not a psychiatric nurse, her years of nursing and teaching have brought her into contact with many young people in emotional or mental health distress. Through the course, she hopes students will understand that mental health resembles a spectrum, with individuals experiencing emotional fluctuations due to various issues. Most importantly, she hopes that they will learn how to prevent mental health problems and seek professional support for timely intervention, if needed.
Ms Kwok was heartened to see students gain a deeper understanding of the experience of those struggling with emotional and mental health challenges through the class's interactive activities and case studies. “They expressed a desire to apply what they learnt to support others,” she said. She also reminded students not to feel discouraged if they could not “fix” a situation. “As long as everyone is safe, simply being there to listen and offer companionship is already a significant help,” she said.
Looking ahead, HKMU plans to offer about 20 additional MHFA classes this summer. A research team from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences will study the course's long-term impact.
HKMU has also continued its efforts to provide personalised support to students with mental issues through professional counsellors. Ms Wan pointed out that as the MHFA course has raised students' awareness of mental health issues, demand for professional counselling services has increased. The University has accordingly enhanced its related service and resources to provide appropriate support to help students deal with these difficulties and challenges.
HKMU launched the first round of a 12-hour MHFA course last September. Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, Vice President (Research and Institutional Advancement) (centre); Ms Adele Wan Tik-lam, Director of Student Affairs (second left); and Ms Ivy Kwok Yuen-ming, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Nursing (first left). Students Shirley Chen Suet-kam (second right) and Yali Lam Nga-lee (first right) shared the latest progress and what they have learnt in the course.
The first round of a 12-hour mental health first aid (MHFA) course at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) showed encouraging results. The course evaluation survey indciates that over 90% of students reported increased confidence in identifying mental health risk factors and supporting others with mental health challenges. To implement “train the trainer” approach, the first batch of faculty members and staff have completed their training and become course instructors, further enhancing the University's capacity to identify and address students' mental health needs.
HKMU launched a three-year university-wide mental health promotion scheme (the Scheme) last year, providing support across three key dimensions. A cornerstone of this initiative is a mandatory MHFA course for all first-year, face-to-face undergraduate students, introduced in September 2024. The course equips students with basic skills in recognising and responding to mental health challenges.
Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, HKMU Vice President (Research and Institutional Advancement), underscored the University's dedication to student mental well-being which is vital for their growth and development. “Through wide-ranging mental health education and support, we aim to foster a supportive and caring campus,” he said. “This reflects our mission to nurture resilient, compassionate individuals who can face future challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.” He hopes that mental health education will enable young people to help themselves and others, achieving a long-term “butterfly effect”.
Over 2,000 students have completed the course
Accredited by the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MHAHK), the 12-hour MHFA course equips students with essential skills to identify early signs of mental health concerns, apply mental health first aid principles, seek timely support and guide peers towards professional resources, as appropriate. It also covers common mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders and psychosis.
From September 2024 to late March 2025, more than 2,000 students completed the course, earning an internationally recognised certificate validating their ability to provide initial mental health support.
In a post-course evaluation questionnaire completed by the students, 94% of respondents reported greater confidence in identifying risk factors for mental health issues, and the same percentage felt better equipped to support others facing mental health issues; and 93% reported more confidence in supporting others facing mental health challenges.
More confident in supporting others with mental health challenges
The survey also found that the course helped reduce the stigma of mental illness, with 94% of the respondents reporting improved confidence in seeking mental illness information, and 68% expressing interest in participating in community service to promote mental well-being.
Ms Adele Wan Tik-lam, Director of Student Affairs, said she was encouraged by the students' positive feedback. “This feedback show that our students have gained awareness and knowledge, equipping them with valuable skills for lifelong mental well-being, which could be beneficial for themselves and the people around them,” she said.
Yali Lam Nga-lee, a student in the Bachelor of Education with Honours (Chinese Language Teaching) and Bachelor of Language Studies with Honours (Applied Chinese Language Studies) programmes, was a caregiver of her great-grandmother during her final days. She was profoundly shaken by her passing. Once a cheerful and sociable person, Yali became quiet and withdrawn, avoiding social events and even welling up at the sight of someone resembling her great-grandmother on the street.
Only when she attended the MHFA course did she realise that she might be grappling with emotional difficulties, which led her to seek counselling. She recalled, “After one session, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head – I realised I needed to talk to someone. This was an unexpected benefit of the course. After meeting with a counsellor, I felt relieved.”
Helping students to help themselves
She believes that the course can help students help themselves. “It showed me that others can get where I'm coming from, and I can turn to professionals, online emotional support platforms or community mental health centres.” Since then, Yali has grown more sensitive to her friends' emotions, applying what she learned to support them. “Communication isn't just about words – it's the little things, too. A pat on the shoulder or a hug to say 'I'm here' can go a long way.”
Shirley Chen Suet-kam, studying in the Bachelor of Education with Honours (Putonghua and Chinese Language Education) and Bachelor of Language Studies with Honours (Chinese Linguistic Studies) programmes, is the eldest sibling in her family. Facing pressure from a family member's illness and financial struggles at home, she understands better than many of her peers how unresolved stress can lead to mental health issues. Passionate about helping others, she chose education as her major and considers mental health awareness a vital part of this.
Her own struggles have fuelled her drive to assist others, as she knows the pain of facing difficulties alone. “Helping others feels like helping myself,” she said. Beyond her busy studies and part-time work, she volunteers at a social welfare organisation, supporting Primary Six students with the stress of transitioning to secondary school, putting her knowledge into practice.
Enhancing counselling services to help students face challenges
The Scheme also aims to train teachers and staff as MHFA instructors. A first cohort of thirteen staff members and two counsellors completed the “train the trainer” programme, and nine of them have already started teaching the MHFA courses at HKMU.
Ms Ivy Kwok Yuen-ming, a senior lecturer in the School of Health and Nursing, is one of the new instructors for the course. Though she is not a psychiatric nurse, her years of nursing and teaching have brought her into contact with many young people in emotional or mental health distress. Through the course, she hopes students will understand that mental health resembles a spectrum, with individuals experiencing emotional fluctuations due to various issues. Most importantly, she hopes that they will learn how to prevent mental health problems and seek professional support for timely intervention, if needed.
Ms Kwok was heartened to see students gain a deeper understanding of the experience of those struggling with emotional and mental health challenges through the class's interactive activities and case studies. “They expressed a desire to apply what they learnt to support others,” she said. She also reminded students not to feel discouraged if they could not “fix” a situation. “As long as everyone is safe, simply being there to listen and offer companionship is already a significant help,” she said.
Looking ahead, HKMU plans to offer about 20 additional MHFA classes this summer. A research team from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences will study the course's long-term impact.
HKMU has also continued its efforts to provide personalised support to students with mental issues through professional counsellors. Ms Wan pointed out that as the MHFA course has raised students' awareness of mental health issues, demand for professional counselling services has increased. The University has accordingly enhanced its related service and resources to provide appropriate support to help students deal with these difficulties and challenges.
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