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February 3, 2023
Next week, mental health charity Mind HK (Hong Kong) will begin its sixth annual Move it for Mental Health 2023 campaign to raise awareness of the importance of a positive mind-body balance. The campaign starts with an engagement challenge on February 6, and from March 1 to 31, participants of all ages will be ecouraged to complete a total of 30km’s worth of outdoor physical activities.
According to the charity, over 80% of people in Hong Kong spend less than two and a half hours on physical activity every week. This fails to meet the World Health Organization’s recommended levels of at least 150 to 300 minutes. One-fifth of residents, aged 15 and above, report sitting or reclining for ten hours or longer every day – all of which can have a negative impact on a person’s health and wellbeing.
Monday’s ‘Run2gather’ challenge will be an additional opportunity for participants to walk, run or hike on nature trails, coastal walks or in country parks. “Regular physical activity has been well-proven to enhance our wellbeing and prevent and reduce mental health symptoms in all age groups…When it comes to our mental health, being in nature significantly enhances people’s positive emotional state, attitude and stress coping and alleviates anxiety and depression,” said Dr. Candice Powell, Mind HK’s CEO who encourages everyone to “kick start a healthy 2023.”
Mind HK’s mission is to ensure that “no one has to face a mental health problem alone in Hong Kong” by working to educate around mental health and remove stigmas. Through collaboration and research, the charity wants to support Hong Kong in becoming a global leader and regional model for public mental health.
The organization reports that 61% of adults there currently suffer from poor mental wellbeing and 74% don’t seek any form of professional help. By providing free support to those in need, MindHK intends to create sustainable, long-term solutions to address mental well-being in Hong Kong.
Over 3,700 people took part in last year’s stepathon challenge and out of these, 85.5% felt the experience motivated them to take up physical activity more regularly. All reported a significant improvement in their mental health. Activity records will be uploaded to the campaign app funded by Here to Be, Lululemon’s social impact program designed to create a path to wellbeing through tools, support and resources accessible to all.
Challenge participants can also become #MoveitHK supporters and help raise funds towards efforts to improve access to mental health services for the community. One of the charity’s key initiatives, iACT (Improved Access to Community Therapies), helps train new wellbeing practitioners to deliver free, early mental health support to individuals suffering from mental health problems.
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