Over 2 000 runners join Joyful@HK Run to enhance mental well-being (with photos)
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The Joyful@HK Run was held on the Pak Shek Kok Promenade at Hong Kong Science Park. Today's participants competed in 32 groups under four categories, namely the 8KM Individual Run, the 2KM Individual Run, the 3KM School Team Relay and the 2KM Family Run. To promote the mental health of students and families, the 3KM School Team Relay and the 2KM Family Run were designated for secondary school students and families with children aged 7 to 10 respectively.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man; the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan; and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Wong Ka-hing, launched the various groups of runs at the event this morning. Other guests included the Principal Assistant Secretary of the Education Bureau, Mr Godwin Lai; Principal Education Officer of the Education Bureau, Mr Chan Fu-man; and members of the Advisory Group on Mental Health Promotion.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Professor Chan said the Joyful@HK Campaign promotes three key elements, namely "Sharing", "Mind" and "Enjoyment". The Joyful@HK Run provided a great opportunity for the participants to attain these elements.
"Upon enrolment on this event, the mind is enhanced through goal setting for running and practice for the race. Sharing is brought out by practising and participating in today's event with family, classmates and friends. Exercise brings joy and enjoyment. It is easy to integrate these three elements into daily life to enhance one's mental well-being," Professor Chan explained.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr Chan said, "Regular physical activity can promote both physical and mental well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adults to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week. An overseas study has shown that adults who met the WHO guidelines for physical activity reported higher levels of well-being."
Dr Chan added, "The Mental Health and Well-being Survey conducted by the DH in November and December 2015 also revealed that respondents who frequently participated in aerobic exercise and group activities experienced lower levels of psychological distress. More than 97 per cent of the respondents agreed that aerobic exercise can enhance mental well-being. I hope everyone can build up a habit of regular physical activity to keep yourselves both physically and mentally fit."
In addition to running competitions, today's event also featured interactive game booths, a photo-taking zone and an inflatable playground, which all brought fun and joy to the participants, their families and friends. Results of the running competitions will be announced later at the thematic website of the Joyful@HK Run (www.joyfulathkrun.hk/index_en.php).
The Joyful@HK Run is one of the key initiatives of the Joyful@HK Campaign and the Joyful@School Campaign. The Joyful@HK Campaign is a three-year territory-wide public education and publicity programme which aims to increase the public's engagement in promoting mental well-being and to enhance their knowledge and understanding about mental health, while the Joyful@School Campaign is a mental health promotion and de-stigmatisation campaign jointly organised by the Education Bureau and the DH for this school year.
Since the launch of the Joyful@HK Campaign in January this year, a series of initiatives has been rolled out to arouse the awareness of mental well-being in the community. These include the appointment of singer Sammi Cheng as the Campaign's ambassador, the launch of the theme song "Through the Hurdles" sung by Cheng and composed by her and singer Ellen Lo, the launch of a thematic website and Facebook fan page, an Announcement in the Public Interest, a series of four-panel comic strips published on the Facebook fan page, a promotion van activity, media interviews and an advertising plan.
The Campaign will continue to promote mental health by launching various initiatives targeting different groups of citizens. For more information on the Joyful@HK Campaign, the public may visit the Campaign's thematic website (www.joyfulathk.hk) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/joyfulathk).
Ends/Sunday, December 11, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:00
Issued at HKT 12:00
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