There is no health without mental health

A strategic research centre for comprehensive mental health promotion 

The aim of MHRC is to provide a broad evidence base for enhancements to mental health research practice, psychosocial and cultural impacts, and policy change and development in all aspects of mental health. According to Prof. David Man, Director of MHRC, “at the heart of MHRC’s work is our focus on both quality and impact. We have been taking wide-ranging actions to achieve our aim. These actions include research and development (e.g. cross-disciplinary and intersectoral mental health studies and collaboration with other research institutes and research centres under PAIR in interdisciplinary and knowledge exchange projects); professional exchange (e.g. organising conferences, symposia, seminars and international visiting programmes); partner engagement (e.g. establishing an alliance with members in the academic, governmental and charitable sectors); and research support (e.g. developing large grant application projects and providing funding support to accelerate research outcomes and deliverables).”

MHRC’s research falls into five key areas: (1) Basic and Translational Neuroscience of Mental Health; (2) Neuroimaging Studies and Innovative Cognitive Rehabilitation of Mental Disorders; (3) Behavioural and Psychiatric Rehabilitation; (4) Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Mental Health; and (5) Service Use and Social Policy of Mental Health. The Centre has established internal seed funding to support the work of PolyU researchers in these areas. The five research areas are interlinked and reinforce each other. They are also structured in a way that allows ample room for local, regional and international partnerships and collaborations with other researches, institutions and centres. This approach facilitates and maximises the translational and interdisciplinary nature of the Centre.

Prof. Man further explained, “as such, MHRC welcomes researchers by bringing together two to three research areas to answer new questions, conduct pilot studies and submit large grant applications. Ultimately, as we target mental health’s technical know-how, intervention models and policy-making, we hope MHRC’s research strength and diversity can help bring society towards comprehensive health promotion.”

Since the year 2021, MHRC has started several external projects funded by the public and charitable sectors. In addition to Prof. Man, Prof. Hector Tsang Wing-hong, Associate Director of MHRC, and Dr Sonata Yau Suk-yu, Member of MHRC, have been awarded funding from the government and charitable foundations for their individual projects on novel mental health interventions for different populations in the community. These projects include 3P (Prevention, Protection, and Promotion) intervention for individuals with COVID-19 by Prof. Man; mindfulness-based Qigong intervention for COVID-19 survivors and caregivers and an integrative mental health-exercise-diet wellness programme for teachers by Prof. Tsang; and the use of Chinese herbal medicine for persons with depression by Dr Yau. 

Responding to mental health challenges under the global pandemic: novel solutions

In Hong Kong, 61% of adults suffer from poor mental well-being (MindHK, 2020), with one in every seven people developing a common mental disorder in their lifetime. Mental health problems are becoming increasingly prevalent. According to the Mental Health Review Report, between 2011 and 2016, the number of psychiatric patients increased by 17%, reaching over 220,000 affected persons (Food and Health Bureau, 2019). More importantly, COVID-19 has affected the mental health of many people. It was found that 42% of anxiety and 50% of depression in 2020 could be attributed to the social and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. David Shum, Member of MHRC, found that over 10% of Hong Kong residents exhibited PTSD symptoms one year after the onset of the pandemic. The elderly are still suffering from the negative impacts of the pandemic, although the fourth wave has gradually subsided after persisting for a while. In another study by MHRC, Prof. Hector Tsang found that over-concentration on anti-pandemic issues would cause persistent anxiety and might trigger emotional problems; but social psychological and behaviour therapies could significantly relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety that emerged during the pandemic. After all, being in a constant state of stress and not managing it can adversely impact our mood and daily lives and lead to mental health problems in the long run.

MHRC members have consistently been innovative, timely and responsive to community needs. During the global pandemic, the team have integrated digital technologies into their mental health promotion projects. For example, Prof. Hector Tsang has started a project titled “Development of a digital platform (Electronic Mental Evaluation, Resources and Information Toolkit; e-MERIT) for pandemic support of the mental health of vulnerable groups”, which aims to provide timely support in the mental health context for the betterment of local vulnerable communities. Moreover, Prof. Tsang was featured on two RTHK TV programmes to promote a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. One programme was “Healthpedia”, in which he introduced mind-body exercises such as Eight Brocades and “Rehab 8 Forms”. The other programme was “Anti-Pandemic News Express”, in which he provided tips on achieving worklife balance while working from home.

Apart from digital technologies, MHRC members have also been integrating Chinese culture, philosophies and approaches in order to generate new therapies. For instance, Dr Sonata Yau has been exploring the use of Chinese herbal medicine for depression. In her research project, “Advancing application of the active compounds of Chinese Herbal Medicine formulas in counteracting depression: Investigation of the synergistic activation on PACAP-mediated rapid and lasting antidepressant effects”, she focuses on the clinical application of Yueju, a Chinese multiherbal medicine formulated 800 years ago to treat symptoms associated with mood disorders. By examining the mechanistic action of Yueju’s extracted active ingredients, Dr Yau will bring us insights into the synergetic effects of these ingredients on antidepressant treatment targets. This effort will facilitate the modernisation of Yueju-based antidepressant formulas with an optimal therapeutic dosage for treating depression patients.

Dedication to mental health research: looking back and ahead

Prof. Man was one of the few people in the early 1980s who promoted cognitive rehabilitation in Hong Kong. Prof. Barbara Ann Wilson, founder of the Oliver Zangwill Centre for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and a renowned scholar in the field of neuropsychology, mentored Prof. Man when he was studying in the UK and later in the US. Prof. Man recalled, “Prof. Wilson has influenced me greatly. My specialties are in memory research and innovative cognitive rehabilitation for ultimate community reintegration.” In the course of his career, Prof. Man has developed two patented projects, an expert system in memory rehabilitation, Empowerment Questionnaires (EQ) for persons with brain
injury and family caretakers, an online Chinese version of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test, a Chinese version of the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test, a Chinese IADL scale and three licensed virtual-realitybased software programmes. Recently, Prof. Man’s research has focused on use of tele-rehabilitation, virtual reality systems, artificial intelligence and computer-assisted platforms for persons with acquired brain injury, mild cognitive impairment and schizophrenia. His team has developed a mobile app for older adults and persons with early dementia as well as a virtual-reality-based screening test for persons with mild cognitive dementia.

Over the years, Prof. Man has developed ways to manage his full and stressful work schedule and ensure his continued capacity for long-term pursuits. “I think good time management and priority setting are crucial to achieving a good state of well-being in my busy work at PolyU—research, teaching, management and community work. From my experience, I have learnt the difference between urgency and importance; and urgent work is not always important. I always aim for efficiency rather than just effectiveness; and quality rather than quantity of outcome.”

Prof. Man believes that too much busyness can be emotionally taxing and lead to physical and emotional burn-out—making us less effective in the tasks we are trying to accomplish. “I am cognisant of that and will clearly say ‘no’ to busyness if that happens. Personal and periodic retreat helps my body and soul strike a balance. My church and religious life (being a devoted Christian) count a lot in balancing my body and mind so that I achieve tranquillity and direction in life. To me, work-life balance is not a slogan but a reality. I have joined several social groups including two men’s groups which offer me great support during emotional darkness and distress. I also have work-leisure balance and enjoy activities like hiking, playing badminton, cycling, travelling, watching films, listening to music, reading books and shopping,” Prof. Man explained.

“I truly believe that work productivity is related to selfworth and a sense of mastery and achievement. This is good for my mood, too. I share with others that I do not just do the work I like, but make myself like or enjoy work I am doing/asked to do. Above all, my family life and time with family during busy days have always been indispensable—their support nourishes and energises me, giving my life great meaning during busy day-to-day work and more than 30 years of service at PolyU,” Prof. Man further explained.

Healthy competition is essential for one’s relentless efforts. “I work hard not because of the work requirement or monetary reward; rather, I am intrinsically motivated to aim for a higher level of accomplishment,” said Prof. Man. An open and humble attitude, a willingness to learn, and the ability to dream and think big are drivers of his innovative work.

During Prof. Man’s career of more than 30 years, many aspects of his work have changed. In the early part of his career, Prof. Man really enjoyed teaching and meeting students. Later, mid-career, he enjoyed working with different types of people, exploring various parts of the world during his research work and fully actualising his talents. Currently, he greatly enjoys mentoring younger staff, building relationships with others and serving the larger community in various advisory and consultant roles. To Prof. Man, these key work appointments or roles, on their own, serve a transient function and bear little long-term meaning. However, the opportunities that come with these positions—supporting students and staff as they grow and develop, improving educational programmes, helping patients recover more fully, bringing better service to a wider population, and maintaining high professional standards—are far more important and meaningful.