Being Happy in HK
For many expats, Hong Kong is the best posting they've had – perhaps even the best place they've lived. But recent times have been stressful for all, to say the least. Clinical psychologist DR QURATULAIN ZAIDI of Mind N Life explains how to look after your family's wellbeing.
Mental health concerns are more common than you might think, according to Dr Zaidi, with around 25 percent of us experiencing issues at some point. “Depressive episodes, eating disorders, self-harm and substance abuse can all occur in children and teens, which is obviously concerning to parents,” she says. “Unfortunately, there is still stigma attached to mental illness; it’s often incorrectly perceived as weakness.”
“When those of us lacking a good support network encounter challenges, managing low moods can become much harder. This is a common issue among expats of all ages, who may feel isolated from friends and family back home.”
What can you do about it?
Dr Zaidi suggests taking these steps to enhance family wellbeing:
• Prioritise physical and emotional balance
• Develop a support network
• Model positive behaviour
• Approach new experiences with an open mind
• Allow children to express their feelings (positive and
negative)
• Encourage open communication
• Live in the present
• Seek professional help when required
The Mind N Life team looks after the needs of expat families – from young kids and teens, to couples, stressedout executives and those facing challenges due to the pandemic – by working inclusively and collaboratively.
“Our multimodal approach involves working with other professionals where needed, to help support the family as required,” says Dr Zaidi. “We do educational assessments for learning difficulties too, working in direct collaboration with schools and parents, unlike many practices in Hong Kong.”
Mind N Life offers a wide range of services for the whole family, covering everything from trauma, PTSD and EMDR therapy, to divorce, separation, Cooperative Practice, and legal reports for family court.