XN000022-1981-10-02 — Page 12

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1981

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MENTAL HEALTH DISPLAY OPENED

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MENTAL ILLNESSES HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF A SOCIETY, RESULTING IN FAR-REACHING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

THIS WAS STATED BY DR MA LIN, VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION AT CITY HALL THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.

HE POINTED OUT THAT MENTAL DISEASES STRAINED MEDICAL RESOURCES AND CAUSED LOSS OF HUMAN PRODUCTIVITY.

DR MA APPEALED FOR JOINT EFFORTS BY GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH MASS EDUCATION, AND COMMENDED THE DEPARTMENT FOR ORGANISING THE MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN.

DURING THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, EXPLAINED THAT THE EXHIBITION WAS MOUNTED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WAYS TO PREVENT MENTAL ILLNESSES.

ANOTHER OBJECTIVE IS TO ALLAY FEARS AND CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS AMONG THE PUBLIC ON PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES AND TO PROMOTE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES' SERVICES ON PREVENTION, COUNSELLING, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION, HE SAID.

THE EXHIBITION IS ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S MAIN ACTIVITIES IN THE MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS.

THE JOINT ORGANISERS OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION,

THE DIRECTOR TAHNKED MR JOSEPH KOO AND MR CHENG KWOK-KONG, LOCAL MUSICIANS, FOR HAVING ADJUDICATED AT THE SONG COMPOSITION AND LYRIC-WRITING CONTESTS HELD IN JULY.

THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM TODAY TILL THURSDAY (OCTOBER 8) BETWEEN 10 AM TO 6 PM DAILY.

DISPLAYS ARE IN THE FORM OF CARTOONS, PHOTOGRAPHS, SLIDES AND VIDEO-SHOWS.

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