HKBU launches Jockey Club Traditional Chinese Medicine-driven Mental Wellness Project

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has received a generous donation of HK$70.95 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for the three year “Jockey Club Traditional Chinese Medicine-driven Mental Wellness Project”. Led by HKBU in partnership with the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (NLPRA), this is the first large-scale Chinese medicine mental health community project supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

The project aims to address the worrying prevalence of common mental health issues in Hong Kong, as well as enhance public awareness and improve mental wellness through education and evidence-based Chinese medicine services.Ultimately, it intends to establish localised Chinese medicine treatment protocols for common mental disorders.

Free Chinese medicine will be provided to 5,000 participants suffering from common mental health issues, such as insomnia, anxiety and depression.Counselling will also be available for participants in need. The project will provide transdisciplinary training to 100 Chinese medicine practitioners and social workers to strengthen their competence in supporting the individuals with common mental disorders. 150 ambassadors and 100 Chinese medicine students will also be trained to enhance their knowledge in this area.

(From left) Dr Wong Hung-ngan, member of the Advisory Committee of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU; Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Associate Vice President (Clinical Chinese Medicine) of HKBU and Principal Investigator of the “Jockey Club Traditional Chinese Medicine-driven Mental Wellness Project”; Ms Rowena Wong How-wan, Chief Manager (Chinese Medicine), the HospitalAuthority; Dr Clement Chen, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU; Ms Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Positive Ageing & Elderly Care; and HealthyCommunity), The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr Chris Sun Yuk-han, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, the HKSAR Government; Professor Martin Wong Ding-fat, Provost of HKBU; Dr Vincent Chung Chi-ho, Commissioner for Chinese MedicineDevelopment of the Health Bureau, the HKSAR Government; Dr Edmund Fong Ho-ching, Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), the HKSAR Government;Professor Annie Tam Kam-lan, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of NLPRA; and Mr Tommy Y S Li, member of the Advisory Committee of the Schoolof Chinese Medicine at HKBU, officiate at the launch ceremony of the “Jockey Club Traditional Chinese Medicine-driven Mental Wellness Project”

The launch ceremony for the project was held today (9 December) on HKBU campus. The officiating guests included Mr Chris Sun Yuk-han, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, the HKSAR Government; Ms Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Positive Ageing & Elderly Care; and Healthy Community), The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Dr Vincent Chung Chi-ho, Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development of the Health Bureau, the HKSAR Government; Dr Edmund Fong Ho-ching, Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), the HKSAR Government; and Ms Rowena Wong How-wan, Chief Manager (Chinese Medicine), the Hospital Authority.

Representatives from the project organisers included Dr Clement Chen, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU; Professor Martin Wong Dingfat, Provost of HKBU; Mr Tommy Y S Li and Dr Wong Hung-ngan, members of the Advisory Committee of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, and Professor Annie Tam Kam-lan, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of NLPRA.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Martin Wong Ding-fat said, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for their generous donation, and to NLPRA for their support, which has enabled the launch of the ‘Jockey Club Traditional Chinese Medicine-driven Mental Wellness Project’. HKBU is a forerunner in Chinese medicine teaching, research and service in Hong Kong. Under the project, a team of experts from the School of Chinese Medicine utilises their professional knowledge to provide Chinese medicine services to people suffering from mental distress, with the aim of improving their mental health and developing treatment protocols that promote the standardisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicine, thereby benefiting more people.”

Professor Martin Wong Ding-fat, Provost of HKBU, delivers a speech.

Mr Chris Sun Yuk-han said: "For more than a decade, the Government has provided a substantial amount of social welfare support to assist people suffering from mental distress. The ‘Jockey Club Traditional Chinese Medicine-driven Mental Wellness Project’, launched by HKBU with funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and in collaboration with NLPRA, marks an excellent start in strengthening such support with the help of Chinese medicine." He hopes that the project can provide early intervention and treatment for those in need to facilitate early recovery. He also expects that upon completion of the project, its
outcomes can help society tackle mental health challenges.

Mr Chris Sun Yuk-han, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, the HKSAR Government delivers a speech.

Ms Imelda Chan said, “Building a healthy community is one of the priority areas of the Jockey Club's charity strategy, and improving the mental well-being of the public is an essential pillar. This project aims to provide personalised traditional Chinese medicine-driven treatment for individuals experiencing mental distress while incorporating suitable psychotherapies based on their mental health condition and psychological needs. The evidence-based treatment plan established is expected to provide statistics and support for the Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres across Hong Kong’s 18 districts, as well as for the soon-to-be-completed Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, serving as an important reference for delivering mental health services through traditional Chinese medicine at the primary healthcare level.

Ms Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Positive Ageing & Elderly Care; and Healthy Community), The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech.

Professor Annie Tam Kam-lan said, “This project enables NLPRA to collaborate with HKBU, illustrating the integration of 'Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments' and 'counselling services' to support individuals experiencing mild to moderate insomnia, anxiety, and depression, and to enhance their mental wellness and foster holistic well-being.”

Professor Annie Tam Kam-lan, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of NLPRA, delivers a speech.

Started in July 2023, the project targets individuals aged between 18 and 65 with mild-to-moderate insomnia, anxiety and depression. HKBU’s Chinese medicine practitioners will provide consultations and prescribe herbal tisanes or Chinese herbal formulae to participants based on the severity of their symptoms for a duration of six weeks.

If participants with moderate symptoms do not see improvement after receiving treatment, HKBU’s Chinese medicine practitioners will work with the registered social workers or counsellors from NLPRA to provide follow-up counselling services.

The project has served more than 800 participants to date. Participants were invited to complete both self-reported questionnaires and clinical assessment by Chinese medicine practitioners before and after using the service. They reported significant improvements in their sleep quality and mental health conditions.

The services offered by the project is free of charge. Those who are interested in participating and have enquiries can call 3411 2094, or register online.

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa upon Dr Andy Lau Tak-wah at the Honorary Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony held on August 10 for his outstanding professional achievements and remarkable contributions to society.

At HKBU’s Honorary Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony: Dr Andy Lau Tak-wah (centre); Dr Kennedy Y H Wong, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU (2nd right); Dr Sunny Chai, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU (2nd left); Mr Kevin Liem, Treasurer of the Council and the Court of HKBU (1st right); and Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (1st left). Photo source: HKBU

Dr Lau is best known as an entertainment superstar. His rags-to-riches story, as a local boy made good, exemplifies the opportunities Hong Kong can offer to those who are willing and able. Dr Lau’s own acting career began when he enrolled in a TV actor training programme in 1981. He landed his first leading role at the age of 20 in a television drama, which shot him to instant fame.

His career as a singer also took off in the early 80s. Since then, he has released over 100 albums in Cantonese and in Putonghua and sold over 48 million albums. He holds the Guinness World Records for the “Most Awards Won by a Cantopop Male Artist” in 2000, accumulating close to 500 music awards to date. His songs are heard not only across the Chinese Mainland, but across the entire Chinese diaspora worldwide.

As for films, having appeared in over 160 films, Dr Lau’s versatility as an actor is simply endless. He has won three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor and two Golden Horse Awards for Best Leading Actor. In 1991, he started his own production company and saw movies through a uniquely Hong Kong lens, as well as gave opportunities to countless local talents.

Dr Andy Lau Tak-wah gives his vote of thanks. Photo source: HKBU

Dr Lau gives back not just through the movie industry but also through his charity foundation. His philanthropic work includes generously donating to natural disaster relief, giving to the education of children in impoverished areas across the Chinese Mainland, participating in fundraising performances, and showing particular concern for people with disabilities. In this uncertain age of artificial intelligence (AI), one thing seems sure: AI can never “be” Dr Lau because it cannot take the role of his humanity, his talent and the emotional connections he has built within the Chinese communities through his art.

The Conferment Ceremony was presided over by Dr Kennedy Y H Wong, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU. Guests attending the ceremony included Dr Sunny Chai, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court; Mr Kevin Liem, Treasurer of the Council and the Court; and Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU.

Dr Andy Lau Tak-wah is conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa by HKBU. Photo source: HKBU

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Alex Wai said that a household and international name known for his versatility, artistry and charisma, Dr Andy Lau Tak-wah is the epitome of excellence and determination.

Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, delivers an address. Photo source: HKBU

Professor Wai highlighted that Dr Lau’s passion for the performing arts, impeccable work ethics and generous spirit have transformed the entertainment industry, giving artists and creative professionals the spotlight they deserve. Professor Wai said: “Above all, his humility and enthusiasm in giving back to the community, nurturing the young and supporting the underprivileged through different charitable channels and his own foundation, continue to inspire and shine a light on those in need.”

Following the ceremony, Dr Lau attended a sharing session titled “In dialogue with Dr Andy Lau”, engaging with over 700 HKBU students and staff. The session also featured Dr Ann Hui On-wah, acclaimed filmmaker and recipient of the HKBU honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in 2023. Together, they reflected on their seamless collaboration on films over the years. They also shared the stories behind their career development and fascinating life experiences, offering valuable inspiration to the audience.

Dr Andy Lau Tak-wah (centre) and Dr Ann Hui On-wah, acclaimed filmmaker and recipient of HKBU’s honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in 2023 (right), attend the sharing session and engage with HKBU students and staff. Photo source: HKBU

Over 700 HKBU students and staff attend the sharing session. Photo source: HKBU