簡介
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
最新
Shirley Yeung, the Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, ICCMW
Hello to the RTHK audience, I am Shirley Yeung Sui-lng. I have schizophrenia, which I have been living with for almost 25 years. I want to share the difficulties that patients face when thinking about recovery. Will I ever get completely better? Does continuing with medication mean I have not recovered? Is relapse a possibility? Is my mind different from others? Can I understand mental illness purely from a psychological perspective? My answers to these questions are positive. Recovery means achieving certain goals at various points in your life. In my childhood, I had a wonderful time living with my parents, brothers, and sister. We shared a close family relationship. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to attend school until I graduated from university. My mental illness began around the age of 24, in 1998. I experienced headaches and felt a lot of stress. I didn’t have many friends to share my feelings with. I became confused, believing that the advertisements on TV had special meanings. I felt as though secret police were monitoring me, and I was scared whenever I saw red lights or the color red, like on taxis. During that time, I felt deflated, had low self-esteem, and was sad, even refusing to take my medication. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and eventually needed to be hospitalised at Kwai Chung Hospital. However, throughout my 25 years on the recovery journey, doctors, nurses, cross-professional caregivers, clinical psychologists, social workers, and peers have helped and encouraged me to grow. First, finding the right medications requires time and careful attention from clinical professionals. Some people worry about weight gain and stigma from the side effects of medications, which can lead them to quit taking them. From my experience, it is important to communicate your concerns and problems to the clinical teams. Trust and communication between professionals and patients are crucial. I regret that my insight into my illness was poor during its onset; I wasted valuable time in my youth. Fortunately, with the support of my family, medical team, and social workers, I learned how to cope with the illness and move toward recovery. I take my medications on time every day and continue to learn by attending educational classes, conferences, and reading to strengthen my coping skills. I have gained the self-confidence to face this serious mental illness, building my life like a puzzle that forms a clear picture with the help of various sources. What does recovery mean? Recovery means hope, building strength, advocacy, and peer support. You can be a unique individual and lead a meaningful life. Now, I actively share my story, knowledge, and lived experiences to contribute to society. I participate in self-help groups such as the Concord Mutual-Aid Club Alliance, where I share and listen to peers to overcome illness together . The theme of the Concord Mutual-Aid Club Alliance is 1.To promote and develop mutual help among the Alliance members. 2. To enhance the rehabilitation, rights and quality of life of its members3 To actively participate in events and issues concerning the rights of the mentally ill person. From my experience of taking anti Psychiatric drugs, we suggest Hospital Authority to increase more choices of new and efficiency medicines for patients. We also share our recovery story to reduce stigma and promote mental health to the public. I engage in advocacy work to voice our difficulties and rights to the government, legislative council, Hospital Authority, and the public. I would like to say that you are not alone to facing mental health. You can ask for help from our peers, professional support and family care. Last but not least, I hope you take care of your mental health. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask for help from us, ICCMW, doctors, or others. I choose the song "Imagine" by John Lennon. We are all the same and without boundaries. Thank you.
重溫
Phoebe See , Coordinating Secretary of The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
Hi I am Phoebe See Man-yan, the Coordinating Secretary of The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong.
Photographs and videos capture the joyous moments and giggles of family gatherings. Parents would often like to cherish every second and tell the world that their children are the prettiest and most precious thing to them.
Nowadays, "sharenting" has become a popular trend wherein parents eagerly upload photographs or videos featuring their children to various social media platforms. Regrettably, this seemingly innocuous act may cause emotional distress in some children, making them feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.
The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong interviewed around 800 parents and 1,100 primary and secondary school students from September to November last year. The findings revealed that more than 80% of the surveyed parents shared their children's information on social media platforms, with nearly 32% sharing across multiple platforms. However, approximately 30% of parents did not obtain their children's consent before sharing photos or videos online, and nearly 40% rarely or never discussed their habits of sharing their children's information. Moreover, nearly 60% of surveyed parents believed that sharing their information would not cause their children to experience negative emotions such as embarrassment, annoyance, or anger.
In terms of children's perspectives, nearly half of those surveyed were aware that their parents shared details about their daily lives online. In some cases, parents even created separate accounts just for this purpose. The children polled generally believed that parents should obtain their consent before sharing their information online, and more than 70% preferred that their parents not share their personal information online. Furthermore, nearly 30% were annoyed, while over 20% were angry at their parents for sharing their information without their consent.
We recognize that parents often feel proud of their children's accomplishments and feel compelled to share these moments with others. However, oversharing may have negative outcome for their children. These include issues arising from the disclosure of personal information and the emergence of trust issues between parents and children, which negatively impact their relationship.
Children of different age groups all need to feel safe and loved, and starting at the age of 7, they begin to desire respect. If these developmental psychological needs are not met, children may easily become passive, withdrawn, insecure, lacking trust in others, and struggling to establish relationships. They may even exhibit rebellious behaviour and resist actions that do not show them respect.
Furthermore, "sharenting" may have unintended consequences, including the risk of jealousy and cyberbullying. Many parents see it as an adorable moment shared on social media, but it may disturb other children in the same picture as well. The worst-case scenario for the long-term consequences of "sharing" is that the children grow up only to discover that every intimate detail of their lives has been exposed online. These unerasable data are not only embarrassing but may also encourage criminals to use them for illegal activities.
The Chinese YMCA proposes using the concept of "S.U.M.", that means Support, Understanding, and Mindfulness as a guiding principle for parents. As we encourage parents to practice mindfulness and be aware of their own internal needs, we also encourage introspection when seeking attention from the others. Parents should consider their motivations for sharing online, such as validation, social connection, or bonding with their children only. After all, parents' genuine affection for their children is more important than the number of “social media likes” they received.
As technology continues to advance, it becomes crucial for parents to be mindful of the information they share about their children online. With that in mind, the Chinese YMCA would like to remind parents of a few important points. It is crucial to seek their children's consent before sharing any information about them. Also, parents should avoid exposing personal information about children, such as the full names, school names or whereabouts of their children, or uploading sensitive images of children. Always respect your children's decisions, respect their wishes if they want pictures to be removed.
Before uploading photos of your children, take a moment to consider what needs you are trying to fulfill. Is it a need for approval from others? Is it a desire to feel connected to society? Remember, as a parent, your efforts towards your children deserve self-appreciation. And your love for them doesn't require constant validation through praise from the others.
