Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
HA Young Investigators Session (Projects to be presented by HA staff who had joined HA for 10 years or less)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Enhancing Partnership with Patients and Community (Projects initiated to engage patients / carers / community to improve efficiency / quality of care)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Man SW(1)(4), Sezto NW(1)(4), Lau W(1)(4), Wong WY(1)(4), Hui N(1)(4), Mui YS(2)(4), Chan SF(3)(4), Pang PF(2)(4), Wong HH(2)(4), Wong KH(2)(4)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Occupational Therapy, (2) Department of Psychiatry, (3) Community Involvement and Volunteer Services Department, (4) United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
Stigmatization poses challenges to recovery of individuals with mental illnesses. Educational and social contact interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing public and self-stigma while social media has emerging as a potent tool for promoting anti-stigma for people with mental illnesses. Two advocacy campaigns were launched using social media to promote anti-stigma on individuals with severe mental illnesses (SMI) and children with special educational needs (SEN) who face sensory challenges.
Objectives :
(1) Promote understanding and de-stigmatization of people with mental illnesses through social media, and (2) enhance social inclusion of people with SMI and SEN children with sensory challenges
Methodology :
Two social media campaigns were conducted from August to December 2022. The campaign “Reveal their feel, rebuild our view” (童感同行) featured graphic and video illustrations depicting sensory challenges faced by SEN children and the socially inclusive reactions towards them. These visuals were shared through social media, schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Another campaign “0biu1cim1" (Zero label 零標籤) featured a sand art video sharing recovery story of individuals with SMI through social media, with a slogan design competition involving NGOs and Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW). Psychiatric Day Hospital (PDH) service users with SMI were involved in story sharing and face-to-face souvenir collection.
Result & Outcome :
“Reveal their feel, rebuild our view” received >1,790 views and >300 likes from posts shared by an influencer on social media, and successfully reached 135 schools and 60 NGOs. The Instagram post of "0biu1cim1" campaign have contacted >3,200 users with 160 likes and 30 comments. The slogan design competition attracted 23 participants from NGOs and ICCMW. Positive feedback was received from social media and participants for both campaigns respectively.
Results demonstrated the effectiveness of social media with notable number of views and likes on campaign content. Positive feedback indicated the resonance of campaign’s message, leading to meaningful discussions, shares, and increased understanding. These findings highlight the potential of social media in promoting awareness and shaping attitudes for future studies.
