Over a span of two years, Hong Kong resident Ng Mei-ling ventured out solely for periodic appointments with a psychiatrist.
After being diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder attributed to workplace stress in 2017, she mentioned that she had to leave her position as a clerk.
Her condition had deteriorated. She experienced a fast heart rate, shaking hands, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite.
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"At first, I couldn’t come to terms with my condition,” Ng stated. “I remained indoors and only ventured outside when absolutely necessary for medical appointments.”
Ng feels comfortable sharing details about this challenging phase of her life and has even created a clothing line that narrates her journey towards recovering from mental illness, simultaneously increasing public understanding of the issue.
She stated, 'In fashion design, I found that I could achieve success, and I should not undervalue my capabilities.'
Individuals dealing with mental health issues can accomplish great feats.
Ng, who remains on medication, credited Phoenix Clubhouse, a community center for individuals dealing with mental health issues and aimed at helping them reintegrate into the workforce, for aiding her recovery. Additionally, she assists other patients at the facility.
According to government data, one in every seven adults in Hong Kong experiences mental health issues.
Based on 2023-24 statistics provided by the Hospital Authority, approximately 300,000 individuals utilized psychiatric services during that period.
Ng mentioned that she previously grappled with recurring negative thoughts and feelings, which led her to receive transcranial magnetic stimulation—a non-surgical technique utilized for treating depression and various disorders.
Later, she discovered solace in fashion design, a pastime she had loved since her youth, noting that this activity assisted her in focusing and transforming pessimistic thoughts into crafting concrete items.
She dedicated five years to crafting her "Shapes Without Noise" series, showcased at the Phoenix Clubhouse in February. This exhibition features 10 works split across four sections that symbolize various phases of her condition, starting with the early signs and societal pressures, progressing through therapy, and culminating in healing.
Ng mentioned that the designs and colors of the garments also reflected the transformations.
She mentioned that the initial garment in the series—a black dress featuring intertwined layers of material—represented the constant stream of negative thoughts within her head.
The last item, an elegantly simple white piece, symbolized her restored self-assurance.
Ng additionally secured a part-time position as a clerk and mentioned she plans to keep pursuing her interest in clothing design.
Founded in 1998, the Phoenix Clubhouse located in Sai Wan operates as a community-based psychiatric rehabilitation facility affiliated with Queen Mary Hospital. It stands out as Hong Kong’s premier clubhouse to achieve accreditation from ClubHouse International, offering essential support and rehabilitation programs for individuals dealing with mental health issues.
Leung Sze-yiu, who leads the center, mentioned that they have assisted over 670 individuals, encompassing patients diagnosed with various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. These patients were primarily referred by hospitals.
Leung mentioned that individuals recovering from issues struggled with going back to work due to demanding schedules and rapid settings, along with insufficient confidence and interpersonal skills.
She mentioned that the clubhouse, comprising three occupational therapists and five support staff, worked together with 15 organizations to provide paid employment options in various fields including retail, healthcare, finance, legal services, and real estate.
Leung stated that their objective is to offer hope and assistance to individuals recuperating from mental health issues, aiding them in enhancing their standard of living and attaining their individual aspirations via significant occupations, authentic connections, job placement, learning opportunities, and community events.
She mentioned that over 60 percent of individuals who visited the center secured employment, and she also noted that international studies indicated the clubhouse approach extended the duration of job retention for those recovering by more than 60 percent.
Dr. Eileena Chui Mo-ching, a psychiatrist at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, highlighted that one of the main aspects was working closely with employers.
She expressed her hope that this model will continue to be promoted.
Dr. Hector Tsang Wing-hong, who leads the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Polytechnic University, stated that these centers offer benefits compared to sheltered workshops, which create an educational setting for individuals with disabilities.
Clubhouse members usually refer to individuals who receive services there, aiming to eliminate the stigma related to mental illness. They provide transitional job chances with support from cooperating employers, as he pointed out.
He called upon the government and non-governmental organizations to dedicate additional resources toward offering social and employment skill training for individuals recovering, enabling them to regain independence through returning to work.
"The aim is to help mentally ill patients who have recuperated reintegrate into the general workforce and live an ordinary life," he stated.
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The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China andAsia.
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