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JC A-Connect study reveals over 90% of autism students in primary and secondary schools have adjustment problems
Supported by the JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network, the HKU Department of Psychology partnered with six non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to investigate how well 2,783 primary and secondary school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) adapted in schools. The students surveyed accounted for approximately 40% of the students identified with ASD studying in public sector mainstream schools, and this has been the largest ever study in Hong Kong on the support needs of students with ASD in mainstream schools. The research findings revealed over 90% of the students had obvious adjustment problems in social-emotional areas, and more than 80% of the students also had difficulty participating in learning. ASD students showed significant delay in their development of adaptive behaviours at all stages of schooling when compared to same-age peers. In light of the findings, the researchers have suggested that related professional support should be strengthened.
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Joint effort by HKU Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, Facebook and social service organisations to prevent suicides
The HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) of HKU, Facebook, Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Save the Children Hong Kong and the Samaritans jointly released a "Help a Friend" booklet to provide guidance and support to those emotionally distressed. CSRP Director Professor Paul Yip said it would require the whole community’s support to encourage those suffering from distressed to disclose their pain and seek help. According to the latest findings by the Centre on student suicide cases between September 2013 and April 2016, about 30 per cent of the deceased had been diagnosed with psychiatric problems and about 26 per cent had made suicide-related posts online or such searches, but less than 9 per cent of them were known to social services for their problems. A total of 5,000 pamphlets will be distributed in selected schools and street events. An online version is also available at all the partner organisations' websites.
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British Airways' HK80 Heritage Exhibition at HKU
The HKU Department of Sociology collaborated with British Airways (BA) to launch a heritage exhibition at MC3@702 Creative Space, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus from now to June 30 to showcase the company's 80 years of history of flying to Hong Kong. Visitors can get a close-up look at the historical artefacts, including vintage cabin crew uniforms, inflight menu and promotional posters used on the route decades ago. Postgraduate students of Sociology also worked with the British Airways' Heritage Centre curators in the UK to interview the airline's loyal customers and long serving staff members about their experience and memories of the airline over the years.
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Two HKU departments offer first self-help stress release programme for women receiving test tube baby treatment
The HKU Department of Social Work and Social Administration and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecologyconducted a longitudinal study from 2013 to 2015 on 151 women who received In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF, or so called "test tube baby") treatment but failed. According to the findings, 39.1% of patients reported symptoms of anxiety immediately after the failed treatment and 18.6% of patients reported symptoms of depression. Their depression and anxiety levels remained in the subsequent months. To help women undergoing the treatment to better cope with the stress in the process, the two departments have offered a "Body-Mind Wellness Intervention Program", which consists of a three-hour workshop and a set of self-help body-mind techniques for stress release. The pilot programme conducted since October 2015 has demonstrated good results with significant decrease in the anxiety level of participants in the treatment group during post-embryo-implantation period.
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HKU Kadoorie Institute launches "Living Water & Community Revitalisation – An Agricultural-led Action, Engagement and Incubation Programme at Lai Chi Wo"
The HKU Kadoorie Institute will officially launch the "Living Water & Community Revitalisation - An Agricultural-led Action, Engagement and Incubation Programme at Lai Chi Wo" on April 30, 2016. The project is a multi-year rural community development and revitalisation programme which promotes sustainable rural development through farming revitalisation, traditional village conservation, education programmes and scientific research. The aim of the programme is to revive the appearance and activities of the traditional Hakka village Lai Chi Wo as much as possible.
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HKU researchers urge more physical activities in schools to improve children's mental health
Dr Robin Mellecker, Honorary Assistant Professor of the HKU Institute of Human Performance, and Dr Frances Law, Associate Director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of HKU, urge schools to allow more time for children to engage in physical activities, which will help them grow up physically and mentally healthy.
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HKU Department of Social Work and Social Administration and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund offer first "Lung Cancer Fighter Course" for patients and family caregivers
The research team of Department of Social Work and Social Administration at HKU and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund collaborated to offer the "Lung Cancer Fighter Course" to provide psychosocial interventions for lung cancer patients and their family caregivers, with an aim to enhance the quality of life in their journey fighting cancer. Previous studies conducted by the research team have shown that the physical and mental health of patients and their family caregivers, such as anxiety, depression, and sleep quality, interact and reinforce each other. The "Lung Cancer Fighter Course" is the first psychosocial interventions programme designed specifically for lung cancer patients and their family caregivers. The 8-section course, which will run from April to June, includes medical information, tips on coping with cancer treatment, the mind-body connection, stress management, mindfulness practices, information sharing on diet and coping with side effects of treatments, communication with health care professionals and among family members.
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