Education Bureau Hosts Mental Health Exchange Day to Enhance Student Well-Being in Hong Kong Schools

EDB and EdUHK jointly organise 4Rs Mental Health Professional Exchange Day cum Peer Power - Student Gatekeeper Training Programme Achievement Sharing

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 10) jointly organised the 4Rs Mental Health Professional Exchange Day cum Peer Power - Student Gatekeeper Training Programme (Peer Power Programme) Achievement Sharing with the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, accompanied by the President of EdUHK, Professor John Lee, officiated at the opening ceremony of the event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Choi said that the EDB has always been committed to promoting mental health on campuses. She noted that the 4Rs Mental Health Charter (4Rs Charter) launched in the 2024/25 school year emphasises the integration of four core elements: Rest, Relaxation, Relationship and Resilience. This initiative aims to foster a caring school atmosphere in a holistic manner and comprehensively enhance students' mental health. Currently, over 96 per cent of schools across Hong Kong have participated in the 4Rs Charter, demonstrating the education sector's strong support and the importance placed on students' physical and mental well-being.

Dr Choi pointed out that promoting student mental health relies on cross-sectoral and cross-professional collaboration. She expressed her hope that everyone, inspired by new insights, would continue to work together with love, passion, determination and action to co-create healthy and happy campuses.

The event featured achievement sharing from the Peer Power Programme. Through booth activities, students shared their achievements in promoting mental health on campuses. All booths at the venue were designed and hosted by the Peer Leaders. The booths were thoughtfully and diversely designed, featuring interactive games or handicraft activities, thereby practising mental health through experiential learning and reinforcing the concept of a student-led approach to promoting mental health in schools.

Dr Choi extended special thanks to the principals, teachers and students of the schools participating in this school year's Peer Power Programme for their active promotion of student mental health and their spirit of mutual care and help on campus. She gave full recognition to students' efforts and dedication when visiting the booths of the Peer Leaders and listening to students' sharing. She also encouraged the Peer Leaders to continue playing fully their role in peer support and promoting mental health within their schools.

Apart from the booths hosted by students, experts from various sectors, including university professors, educational psychologists, clinical psychologists, senior social workers and school principals were also invited to serve as guest speakers for the workshops and seminars today. The content covered the growth mindset, experiences of applying mindfulness on campuses, enhancing the mental health of teachers and students through creativity and play, promoting sleep and well-being among adolescents, mental health in the artificial intelligence era, and supporting the emotional well-being of students with special educational needs.

Source: AI-found images

EDB and EdUHK jointly organise 4Rs Mental Health Professional Exchange Day cum Peer Power - Student Gatekeeper Training Programme Achievement Sharing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB and EdUHK jointly organise 4Rs Mental Health Professional Exchange Day cum Peer Power - Student Gatekeeper Training Programme Achievement Sharing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB and EdUHK jointly organise 4Rs Mental Health Professional Exchange Day cum Peer Power - Student Gatekeeper Training Programme Achievement Sharing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB and EdUHK jointly organise 4Rs Mental Health Professional Exchange Day cum Peer Power - Student Gatekeeper Training Programme Achievement Sharing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

DH investigates hospital-acquired case of Legionnaires' disease

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (July 10) it is investigating a nosocomial (i.e. hospital-acquired) Legionnaires' disease (LD) case, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

The case involves an 89-year-old male. He has been hospitalised at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH) since April 1 for his underlying illnesses, during which he occasionally experienced symptoms such as sputum production and shortness of breath. His shortness of breath worsened on July 6, prompting hospital staff to collect a respiratory specimen on the same day. The specimen collected tested positive for Legionella pneumophila (non-serogroup 1) by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch under the CHP. The patient's condition improved following antibiotic treatment and is currently in stable condition.

Since the patient was hospitalised at HKSH throughout the incubation period (from June 26 to July 4), the CHP considered that this is a nosocomial case and conducted an environmental investigation at the hospital in order to determine the source of the infection.

A preliminary investigation revealed that, the patient had been admitted to a single-occupancy room in the general ward during the incubation period. The CHP collected 10 water samples and six environmental samples from the water tanks of the concerned building and the patient's ward. The results of laboratory testing are pending.

The CHP has instructed HKSH to suspend the use of the shower rooms in the ward concerned, thoroughly disinfect the water supply systems of the concerned ward and install bacterial filters as soon as possible. The CHP has also provided the hospital with health advice and medical surveillance recommendations, and will continue to closely monitor the implementation of these measures.

In addition, the CHP is arranging for other patients who were hospitalised on the same floor as the patient during the same period to undergo medical surveillance. No additional LD cases have been identified among them so far.

The CHP's investigation and follow-up work are ongoing.

Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships.

Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas, water fountains, humidifiers and home respiratory devices that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

Immunocompromised persons should:

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

The public should observe the health advice below:

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) or less and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

The public may visit the CHP'sLD page, theCode of Practice for Prevention of LDand theHousekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Managementof the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP'srisk-based strategyfor prevention and control of LD.

Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urgesmembers of the public to quit smoking and avoid drinking. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, which is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referral to a wide range of free smoking cessation services. The public may also visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation. The DH has also developed and promulgated the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention tool to primary healthcare service providers to facilitate the early identification and management of at-riskdrinkers. For information on alcohol-related harm, please visit the DH'sChange for Health website.

Source: AI-found images