First Quarter 2002 Newsletter (Last Updated On: ) Hong Kong Seminar on Stress at Work At the Hong Kong Seminar: Dr. E.K.Yeoh, J.P., Secretary for Health and Welfare, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at the podium; Barbara Murray, ILO (center); and WFMH President Pirkko Lahti. The International Labour Office (ILO), the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (NLPRA) jointly organized a seminar in Hong Kong on mental health in the workplace on 31 January-1 February 2002. This was the first time the two international organizations had worked with a local organizer to arrange a regional meeting of this kind. The aim was to raise the awareness of employers and employees about the challenges of job stress, and to provide a better understanding of the relationship of job stress to productivity. . Dr. E.K. Yeoh, J.P., Secretary for Health and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gave a welcoming address signifying his support and highlighting the efforts made by the Hong Kong Government on mental health education. The program was introduced by Pekka Aro of the ILO�s Infocus Program on Skills, Knowledge and Employability and by Dr. Raymond Wu of NLPRA. The seminar was divided into two parts. The first day targeted chief executives, directors and senior managers of organizations, and was attended by 163 people. On the second day 224 professionals from human resources and other divisions of management participated. The industries represented included construction, engineering, accounting, IT and electronics, banks, financial services, hospitals, transportation, retailing, government and public bodies, and non-governmental organizations. Experts from Japan, England and Thailand spoke about the impact of job stress on productivity as well as strategies for improving well-being at work. As good practice models for employers, Nokia (HK) Limited and the Hong Kong Police Force provided information about their programs to improve employees� mental health. Barbara Murray, ILO Coordinator for Equity Issues, spoke on stress in the workplace. WFMH President Pirkko Lahti drew attention to the stigma and myths associated with mental health issues. A discussion session allowed the participants to exchange views about ways of managing stress at work. Deborah Wan, Chief Executive Officer of NLPRA and the local organizer of the meeting, presented results of a survey taken to provide a picture of the mental health of employees in Hong Kong. These results were also reported in a background paper prepared for the seminar by NLPRA, �Mental Health in the Workplace: Situation Analysis � Hong Kong.� Pirkko Lahti prepared a report on a project supported by the ILO to draw together various WFMH activities on mental health and work. This publication included selected World Mental Health Day country reports and other material submitted by Regional Vice Presidents. Mental Health Europe contributed information, and the Regional Vice President for South America, Paulo Alterwain, provided a detailed report of activities over a two-year period. The Finnish Mental Health Association produced an item for inclusion and gave editorial support. Ms. Lahti praised the arrangements made by Deborah Wan and NLPRA. She added: �The Hong Kong Seminar is an excellent example of cooperation between the International Labour Organization and WFMH. One important result is that we have a list of possible partners for other enterprises in the region.� The presentation materials of all the speakers are available on the web-site of NLPRA at . In addition, the background paper, �Mental Health in the Workplace: Situation Analysis � Hong Kong,� has been published. Copies can be obtained by e-mailing to [email protected]. First Quarter 2002 Newsletter