Hong Kong has faced real challenges in recent years with respect to the mental health and wellbeing of its population. Several NGOs and organizations have stepped up to address the issue. Alongside this, what Hong Kong needs is a mental health magazine.
A mental health magazine is a great way to promote information around creating optimal mental health and wellbeing. It can highlight to its readers not just the importance of mental health but in addition bring educational resources. This article will explore the importance of having a mental health magazine for Hong Kong.
A mental health magazine fulfills the gap of educating the public through easy to read material. Material that is fun and written in layman’s language. The job of a mental health magazine is to present the latest research and information without the technical jargon.
Some people may think that a mental health magazine might not necessarily add anything of value here are five ways in how it creates unique value:
Communicating the importance of mental health:
Everybody understands the mind-body-soul connection. It is a term that is commonly thrown around. However, how many people actually know what is required to maintain an optimal mind-body-soul connection? Oftentimes serious topics could overwhelm people and dissuade them from looking after their wellbeing. That is not the case with a mental health magazine. When someone reads the magazine it is considered a leisurely activity providing a fun activity to do while being informative.
Providing Educational Resources
The common man does not necessarily reach out to read journal articles on the latest research. This need is taken care of by a mental health magazine. Writers take the current research and present it in an easy to read fashion. When talking about mental health most people will be quick to talk about depression and anxiety. But these are only the symptoms when things are not working right. It is important to educate the general public on the number of other things that are associated with mental health. A mental health magazine does just that.
Additionally, some magazines also have professionals from the field writing for them and this gives them an added advantage. It is not just limited to research material but the rich experience of the professionals working in this field.
Personal Stories and Testimonials
When dealing with mental health issues some people might believe that it is only them who are suffering through it. A mental health magazine covers personal stories and lived experiences. This lets the readers know that they are not alone. There are others who are going through a similar struggle.
This could provide some support and solace in the struggle of the individual. Also by reading stories of others who have gone through a similar situation, a reader might know that this is not permanent. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Destigmatization of Mental Health Issues
The stigma attached to mental health can prove as a barrier when it comes to addressing one’s mental health. People shy away from seeking help because of the ridicule that they might face. A mental health magazine plays an important role in removing stigma. Imagine reading an article about someone going through burnout only to find out that it is common for people to face burnout due to a toxic environment or other issues. The person may no longer feel that they are alone in this.
Gone are the days of toxic masculinity or facing criticism for seeking help when dealing with mental health issues. A mental health magazine normalizes this and creates an environment that fosters help seeking for emotional wellbeing.
Community Building
Finally a mental health magazine may also conduct workshops around several wellbeing topics. This fosters community engagement and can bring people together. Knowing that there are other people who openly seek help can be a huge motivating factor to many. Through various workshops and webinars, many of the questions that people have around mental health could also be answered. Individuals could find advice and have an opportunity to open up about their personal struggles.
Thanks to the online movement, a mental health magazine is no longer limited to only print versions. The user-friendly interface and the ease of access to information also create freedom to get information at one’s fingertips.
Today a mental health magazine is not just limited to long articles but also caters to various audiences through podcasts and other social media platforms. Through social media, short summaries are now made available to people around them. A quick glance and you know exactly where to look for the information that you are seeking. There is no need to browse through an entire website. Don’t enjoy reading. That is not a problem. A mental health magazine will also cater to audiences who enjoy listening to podcasts.
A mental health magazine is the link between serious psychological information and the layman. Providing a community, easy to read material and various support channels.