This year’s World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, came at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The past months have brought many challenges for all of us. It may be more important than ever to highlight the importance of taking care of our mental health as we face an extended period of uncertainty, isolation and difficulty. In response to the World Mental Health Day, MCM College organised “Mental Health Awareness Week” from 6-10 October 2020 to help residents keep mentally healthy and to reduce stress. With the great support of the college’s peer counsellors, social worker, reading club members, UM Psychological Counselling Centre, UM Centre for Macau Studies, Caritas Macau – Hoi Fai Life Education Resources Centre, Sheng Kung Hui Macau Social Services Coordination Office and Psychotherapy Centre of the Women’s General Association of Macau, a series of activities were held during that week to promote mental health and introduce psychological counselling resources to residents, including “Stress Release” game booths, “What is Stress and Depression?” exhibition board, “Spiritual Ark” book corner, “Step-by-Step” community health programme, “Chat With U” counselling hotline and online support programme , “Let’s Talk About Depression” psycho-education talk, “Embrace Yourself at Night” reading and sharing seminar. This college-wide programme received positive feedbacks from the residents and attracted a total of 350 participants. |