1,200 Runners Step Out for Youth Mental Well-being at HKFYG Run for Wellness

The courage to take the first step is often the antidote to anxiety and uncertainty. This was the message that The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) highlighted today (14 December) at its flagship event, The HKFYG Run for Wellness. Themed “Step Out and Show Your Attitude,” this year’s event encouraged the public to take positive action towards mental and physical well-being, as part of the Federation’s 65th anniversary campaign.

Held at the Tseung Lam Highway Garden in Tseung Kwan O, the Run drew nearly 1,200 participants across 10km Individual and Team Races, a 5km Individual Race, and a 1km Family Run. Each participant carried a backpack throughout the race, symbolising a shared commitment to journeying alongside young people, and shouldering their loads and burdens. 

The event was officiated by Grace Chan Man-yee, incoming Legislative Councillor and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS); Cui Feng, Second-Level Inspector, Department of Youth Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Dr Law Yuet-wing, Regional Commander of Kowloon East, the Hong Kong Police Force; Roden Tong Man-lung, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong; along with the HKFYG’s Honorary Treasurer Eugene Liu, Council Member Prof Paul Cheung Ying-sheung, and Executive Director Hsu Siu-man.

“The HKFYG is fully committed to addressing youth mental health and diversifying our wellness services,” said Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of the HKFYG. “In light of the recent tragic events in Hong Kong, we are especially grateful for the outpouring of community support, which has enabled us to offer timely assistance to affected young students, through emergency cash grants, emotional support and counselling.”

Along the race course, participants were also invited to a Wellness Experience Zone, to destress and unwind through sport, music, arts and crafts activities, designed to help them reset, relax and rediscover simple moments of joy.

Since its launch in 2017, the HKFYG Run for Wellness has engaged more than 12,000 participants to raise awareness of mental and physical wellness, while raising funds for the HKFYG Wellness Project. Participants carry backpacks to symbolise the sharing of the academic stress and emotional weight borne by the young people of Hong Kong.

To further strengthen youth wellness support, the HKFYG established the Wellness PLUS Complex last year, offering integrated health management and training for young wellness practitioners, to foster a healthier community. For details, visit wpc.hkfyg.org.hk.

For emotional support, young people may reach out through:

Hotline counselling: “YouthLine”

Telephone: 2777 8899

Available Monday to Saturday, 2pm-2am

Cyber and social media counselling: “uTouch”

Website: utouch.hk

WhatsApp: 6277 8899

Available Monday to Saturday, 2pm-12am

Integrated wellness and counselling platform:
“Shall We Talk · Shall We Walk”

Website: talknwalk.hk

One-stop services for voice- and text-based counselling,
in-person appointments, and wellness event information

For enquiries, please contact: