Media

Jockey Club Online Youth Emotional Support “Open Up” is the first 24/7 operated online-crisis support service targeting youth between 11 to 35 years old. Help-seekers can chat with counsellors via popular social media platforms including WeChat, Facebook Messenger and the official web portal regarding their study, family, work and relational induced emotional distress. This project is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and operates in conjunction with three leading youth non-profit organisations, namely, Caritas-Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, and The Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong.

Together, a kickoff ceremony will be held on October 7, 2018 (Sunday) at the University of Hong Kong campus in the presence of the officiating guest – the Hon Mr. Matthew Cheung Kin-Chung, GBM, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration.

Following the launch ceremony, the Chairman of the “Open Up” programme, Professor Paul Yip, Director of CSRP, HKU will release youth’s usage of social media and their help seeking behavior in relation to their mental health status from the latest research and data analysis. A user of online service will also share his experience of how he was supported by counselling online and why he selected online option over others. A volunteer will share her experience and gains from the “Open Up” programme.

Members of the press are cordially invited to attend the Launch Ceremony and the press conference.

Details are as follows:
Date: October 7, 2018 (Sunday)
Venue: 3/F, The Jockey Club Tower, CPD 3.28, Centennial Campus, University of Hong Kong (map: http://www.exam.hku.hk/room/plan/floorPlan.pdf)

Launch Ceremony: 11 to 11:40am (Media registration starts at 10:30am)
Officiating guests:
Hon. Mr. Matthew Cheung Kin-Chung, GBM, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration
Representative of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Dr. Steven J. Cannon, Executive Vice President, the University of Hong Kong

Language: mainly Cantonese

Press conference: 11:45am to 12:30pm 
Speakers:
Professor Paul S.F. Yip, Chair Professor of Social Work and Social Administration and Director of Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, HKU
A user of online service and a volunteer from “Open Up”

Languages: Cantonese with supplementary materials in English (Cantonese and English in Q&A session)

Notes to the media:
No entry into event venue during speeches and the launch ceremony.

Please register at https://goo.gl/forms/QINRg4G9gviBlMx53 by 5 October 2018 to confirm your availability. For further enquiries, please contact Ms. Vicki Lee at tel: 2507 2881 or email: pr@openup.hk.