This wonderful speech was given by Dr. Yin-Ju Lien (Professor of the Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University) and Dr. Cheng, Qijin (Assistant Professor of the Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong).

Dr. Lien mentioned that there exist multiple root causes of mental illness stigma, not one single cause. While  people with  limited knowledge of the diseases may show some discriminatory attitudes., professional specialists might also unintentionally label the patients with negative images. Therefore,  a thorough understanding of mental illness would help this population feel understood and accepted by the society .

The information platform designed by the team of Dr. Cheng provides a way for teenagers to seek assistance when they encounter emotional problems. Through the support  from social workers and volunteers, the incidence of self-harm and suicide  may decrease. The platform promotes their mental health and positively provides them with care.

We thanked both two professors, from their speech, we knew that ignorance and fear could not be the solution of problems. We should raise people’s awareness with more understanding, tolerance, and care.