How Hong Kong teen’s struggle with anxiety led to student mental health campaign
Charlotte Yuen set up Be Positive HK, which uses social media, storytelling and workshops to connect students with information on well-being
A Hong Kong student who once struggled with anxiety and perfectionism has turned her experience into a campaign to raise awareness of mental health.
Yuen, 18, said that when she started secondary school, she felt trapped in a cycle of pressure and self-doubt. “I was anxious about exams and couldn’t stop thinking about failing,” she said.
The turning point came when she sought help from her school social worker.
Through counselling, she realised that mental health was not something to hide; it was something to talk about.
“I learned that sharing my story doesn’t make me weak,” she said. “It helps me and others feel less alone.”