A variety of activities were hosted at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) to help students destress during the intense period before the examinations, under the CityU Cares for YOU Campaign, launched by Student Development Services (SDS) from 21 to 24 November.

The Campaign was themed “Speak Your Mind”, whose aim was to promote a positive attitude, cultivate mutual support among students, and strengthen students’ resilience to help overcome personal challenges.

In her remarks at the opening ceremony, Professor Isabel Yan Kit-ming, Associate Provost (Student Life) of CityU, said that the university recognises the challenges students face and endeavours to accompany them throughout their learning journey. “We encourage students to open up by sharing their feelings and struggles with someone they trust and find ways to cope with stress together,” she added.

A new mascot, named Able, was unveiled during the occasion to further promote the importance of prioritising mental wellness. It aims to inspire students to be able to see, listen, seek help and speak their mind. In addition, through an exhibition, SDS introduced tips for and benefits of sharing one’s thoughts, as well as support services that are available on campus. Students can also post caring messages on the online wall to share words of encouragement and enhance peer support.

To project healthy and positive energy effectively in the CityU community, the Caring League, which consists of three well-trained student teams – Peer Counsellors, Inclusion Ambassadors and Psychological Wellness Ambassadors – will develop special themes for training and services to be held on campus. Tsang Kong-san, a Year 3 student from the Department of Media and Communication and one of the Peer Counsellors, said it is meaningful to reach out and provide care and support to peers in different majors, and to help students expand their social network.  

Other highlights of this year’s Campaign were therapeutic harp and hand flute performances for stress relief, followed by workshops that allowed students to express themselves through melodies with their own hands. Another two DIY workshops were organised for students to create unique decoupage boxes and neon art signs with electroluminescent wire to help them express their thoughts.

Hu Keqian, a Year 3 student from the Department of Electrical Engineering, made a whale neon sign, which symbolised her desire for a carefree life. She said she enjoyed the workshop a lot, since making handicrafts helped her relax and feel less anxious amidst the load of assignments.