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The Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion (CHEHP) in The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care (JCSPHPC) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) recently held the Healthy School Forum. The officiating guests at the event were Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education; Dr Lam Ching-choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health; Dr Ronald Lam Man-kin, Director of Health; Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, Dean of CU Medicine; Professor Samuel Wong Yeung-shan, Director of JCSPHPC at CU Medicine; Miss Vivian Kong Man-wai, Women’s Épée Individual Gold Medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games; Ms Scarlett Pong Oi-lan, Chairman of the Health Promoting School Advisory Committee; and Mr Paul Wong Yan-yin, District Officer (Sham Shui Po).

Study shows that a healthy lifestyle and self-efficacy may be crucial for resilience building in early secondary education 

Professor Martin Wong Chi-sang, Director of CHEHP and Professor at JCSPHPC at CU Medicine, shared the findings of a survey his team recently conducted. Among the 1,704 local Secondary 1 to 4 (S1 to S4) student respondents for the current school year, 43% were male and nearly half (43%) were S1 students. Mental Toughness Scale (MTS) was used to assess their resilience[1].

The findings showed resilience may be associated with factors related to lifestyle and self-efficacy[2], such as “being male”, “better self-perceived health”, “having breakfast daily”, “a standard level of daily exercise”, “watching television or videos for less than two hours on weekdays”, “playing video games for less than two hours on weekdays”, “using social media for less than two hours on weekdays”, “higher self-efficacy” and “improved health literacy”.  The association implied the importance of healthy living habits and positive thinking in developing adolescents’ resilience during early secondary education. Notably, the team observed a downward trend in students’ resilience as they advanced to higher senior secondary grades, reflected by an MTS score of 47 for S1 students, compared to a score of 45 for S4 students.

Government, school and community partnerships can foster stronger resilience among students 

The researchers recommend that schools should provide students with a diverse range of curricula and activities, giving them opportunities to showcase their strengths and face challenges. Through the completion of learning tasks, students can develop problem-solving and collaboration skills, and become empowered with the knowledge and coping abilities to address major challenges in the future. The experience will enable students to view ups and downs with composure. Schools should also offer comprehensive mental wellness education programmes and support services, and organise activities regularly that teach students strategies to cope with psychological distress and adaptation issues.

Various guests attending the forum shared policies, stakeholders’ roles and outlook regarding a healthy school environment. Dr Choi Yuk-lin remarked: “It is the common goal of the Education Bureau and schools to enhance the physical and mental health of students, and to cultivate them with a positive attitude to overcome challenges and changes. Through such channels as the 4Rs Mental Health Charter and values education, we have spared no efforts in strengthening students’ mental health and resilience. Looking ahead, we will continue to help schools harness the resources in the community with cross-department and cross-sector collaboration, thereby fostering the growth and development of students in a healthy and positive environment.”

Dr Lam Ching-choi expressed his hope that all sectors of the community and educators can create an environment in society and schools that helps students develop the inner strength to respond proactively to challenges and remain resilient under pressure.

Dr Ronald Lam added: “To enhance students’ physical and mental health, thanks to the support from the Education Bureau, the Department of Health (DH) has launched the Whole School Health Programme to help participating schools gradually become Health Promoting Schools with reference to the Health Promoting School Framework advocated by the World Health Organization. The DH will compile an annual health report for each participating school and recommend targeted school-based measures to promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental health, and social well-being.” To achieve the goal of ‘Whole School, Whole Health’, he called for everyone’s concerted efforts to collaboratively build Health Promoting Schools, empowering students to overcome challenges and soar towards a bright future of physical and mental well-being.

Ms Scarlett Pong highlighted at the guest sharing session that resilience is an ability that can be acquired and developed. She remarked that building a strong support network is vital; and parents and teachers should consistently attend to students’ needs and prioritise setting phase-specific goals that leverage their strengths to enhance self-esteem. “Resilience functions like a muscle-it needs ongoing training to foster an environment for growing healthily and confidently, allowing students to stay strong when confronted with challenges,” she said.

Miss Vivian Kong added: “I hope schools, teachers, parents and students can prioritise sport for both physical and mental health because it is a universal language for compassion, resilience and hope. Fencing has taught me that I am stronger than I imagined, and I hope everyone can feel the same. Through sport, we learn to appreciate what is more important than medals – perseverance, sportsmanship, teamwork and the pure joy of being our best and most authentic self.”

Professor Martin Wong said: “The theme of our forum is ‘Triumph Over the Challenges, Soar into the Future’. We hope that students, while focusing on academic studies, can also maintain emotional wellbeing in adversity, respond to challenges with resilience, learn and grow from experience, and overcome obstacles with a positive attitude. We will also continue to implement health promotion activities, and analyse the status and trends of students’ physical health and mental wellbeing. Meanwhile, we will liaise with key stakeholders to explore strategies that promote the health of school children and empower them with the abilities to tackle more hurdles.”

¹ The ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from and more successfully adapt to adverse events, according to The American Psychological Association in 2012

² The belief that one is capable of performing in a certain manner to attain certain goals.