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






The officiating guests kick off the launch ceremony
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 in Hong Kong supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
The project aims to address the concerning 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 those in need. The project will provide transdisciplinary training to 100 Chinese medicine practitioners and social workers to strengthen their competence in supporting individuals with common mental disorders. Additionally, 150 ambassadors and 100 Chinese medicine students will also be trained to enhance their knowledge in this area.
The launch ceremony for the project was held on 9 December 2024 on HKBU campus. The officiating guests included Mr. Chris Sun Yuk Han, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Ms. Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Positive Ageing & Elderly Care; and Healthy Community) at The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Dr. Vincent Chung Chi Ho, Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development of the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government; Dr. Edmund Fong Ho Ching, Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine) of the HKSAR Government; and Ms. Rowena Wong How Wan, Chief Manager (Chinese Medicine) at the Hospital Authority.
Representatives from the project organisers included Dr. Clement Chen, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU; Professor Martin Wong, Provost of HKBU; Mr. Tommy Y.S. Li, SBS, MH, JP and Dr. Wong Hung Ngan, members of the Advisory Committee of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU; as well as Professor Annie Tam Kam Ian, GBS, JP, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of NLPRA. Also present at the ceremony were Mrs. Susan So, SBS, BBS, Vice-President of NLPRA and member of the Board of Governors of the HKBU Foundation; and Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation.
The services offered by the project are free of charge. Those who are interested in participating can call 3411 2094 for further information or register online (Chinese version only) to verify their eligibility.