The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, today (December 8) officiated at "Home, Power" carnival, the finale of 2018 Mental Health Month (MHM), and joined over 500 representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups and self-help organisations as well as students and volunteers in playing "Paper, Scissors and Rock". This game was part of this year's promotion of family mental health by fostering inclusiveness, keeping smiles and relieving pressure among family members.

     With the theme "Home, Power" and the slogan "Fun in 10 Minutes", the 2018 MHM aimed to encourage the public to add positive energy to the family by spending at least 10 minutes a day with family members. A series of publicity and education activities were carried out in the community and on campus in the past six months by the 12 NGOs providing rehabilitation services for ex-mentally ill persons, with a view to raising public's awareness and concern about mental wellness.

     Addressing the ceremony, Dr Law pointed out that the Social Welfare Department has set up 24 Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) operated by NGOs since 2010. They provide one-stop community support services for ex-mentally ill persons aged 15 or above, persons with suspected mental health problems, their carers and residents in the district. The Government has been injecting additional resources to strengthen their services in recent years. As of September 2018, ICCMWs have provided services to over 73 000 persons.

     "We will also expand their service scope to secondary school students aged under 15, including drop-outs, to strengthen professional support for youths and assist them transiting to appropriate adult support services," he said.
 
     The Government allocated additional resources in this financial year to create 12 additional clinical psychologist posts and 24 social worker posts to better support ex-mentally ill persons, persons with suspected mental health problems as well as their family members and children.
 
     Furthermore, in order to train suitable ex-mentally ill persons to serve as peer supporters, the peer support service provided in community rehabilitation service units has also been regularised since late March this year, in order to enhance public acceptance towards ex-mentally ill persons and building an inclusive society.

     At the ceremony, Dr Law presented prizes to winners of a heartwarming message-writing contest under an annual territory-wide mental health promotion programme, while the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Professor Alfred Chan, who also officiated at the ceremony delivered awards of another photo-taking contest on family mental health under the programme. Both activities encouraged family members to step up communications and share their feelings through photo-taking and caring messages. The Ambassador of 2018 MHM, Mr Roger Kwok, also attended the carnival and shared his experience in striving to spend more time with his family amid a hectic schedule.

     Prior to the ceremony, Dr Law visited the carnival booths and expressed his thanks to welfare organisations for their hard work in promoting mental health from various aspects across the community. The carnival was held in MacPherson Playground in Mong Kok this afternoon, showcasing winning entries of the above contests. Activities including game booths, interactive experiential activities and handicraft workshops were also available to engage the public to better understand the importance of family mental wellness.

     Also officiating at the carnival were the Chairman of the Sub-committee on Public Education on Rehabilitation of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Dr Raymond Leung; the Assistant Commissioner for Rehabilitation of the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB), Ms Polly Ho; and the Chairperson of the Organising Committee of 2018 MHM, Ms Grace Ma.
 
     Organised by the LWB in collaboration with various bureaux/departments, public organisations and non-governmental organisations, the MHM echoes with the World Mental Health Day, an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health. The public may visit the 2018 MHM website or the MHM Facebook page (Chinese only) for details.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Family Council:

     A total of 3 227 companies and organisations from different sectors and 37 government bureaux/departments were commended today (December 8) at the award presentation ceremony for the 2017/18 Family-Friendly Employers Award Scheme co-organised by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Family Council.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan; and the Chairman of the Family Council, Professor Daniel Shek, officiated at the award presentation ceremony.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Cheung said the Family-Friendly Employers Award Scheme organised by the Family Council aims to raise the community's awareness on family-friendly practices. On measures being implemented by the Government, he said a bill seeking to increase statutory paternity leave from the existing three days to five days proposed by the Government has been passed by the Legislative Council. Upon completion of the relevant procedures, the amendment ordinance will come into operation. The Government will also follow　up on the suggestion on extending statutory maternity leave from the current 10 weeks to 14 weeks and will draft the enabling bill and formulate relevant measures after the passage of the bill. The Government has also taken the lead in extending maternity leave to 14 weeks for all female government employees.

     Mr Cheung added that the legislative measures are intended only to increase the basic thresholds. The Government hopes and believes that many employers will assist their employees in the light of the actual circumstances to strike a balance between work and family responsibilities. If employees have less to worry about, they will work harder, staff wastage will be reduced and companies' productivity will be increased, creating a triple-win situation for employers, employees and families.

     The 2017/18 Family-Friendly Employers Award Scheme presented seven categories of awards, namely Family-Friendly Employers awards, Meritorious Family-Friendly Employers awards, Family-Friendly Employers – Grand Award, Outstanding Family-Friendly Employment Practices awards, Awards for Breastfeeding Support, Special Mention awards and Special Mention (Gold) awards. Enrolment categories included Corporations (for companies or firms with 100 or more employees in Hong Kong), Small and Medium Enterprises (for those with less than 100 employees in Hong Kong) and Organisations (for non-governmental organisations and social enterprises in Hong Kong). Government bureaux and departments could compete for Outstanding Family-Friendly Employment Practices awards and Awards for Breastfeeding Support. The award scheme received a record-breaking number of enrolments, with more than 3 500 companies, organisations and government bureaux and departments joining.
      
     After assessment, 3 080 and 133 companies and organisations were recognised as Family-Friendly Employers and Meritorious Family-Friendly Employers respectively. Among the awardees, 582 companies and organisations that were awarded as Family-Friendly Employers twice received Special Mention awards, while 362 companies and organisations which were awarded three times were given Special Mention (Gold) awards. Fourteen companies and organisations which have received Distinguished Family-Friendly Employers awards consistently in previous years were awarded the newly added Family-Friendly Employers – Grand Award to recognise their immense efforts in introducing new or innovative family-friendly employment policies and practices, or extending the coverage of beneficiaries. Ten companies, organisations and government bureaux/departments received the newly added Outstanding Family-Friendly Employment Practices awards to commend them for implementing innovative and flexible family-friendly practices or being the pioneers in the industry. In addition, 592 companies, organisations and government bureaux/departments received the Awards for Breastfeeding Support to commend their efforts in adopting facilitating measures to support employees who are breastfeeding.

     The biennial award scheme was launched in 2011 and this year marked its fourth edition. The award scheme recognises employers who attach importance to the family-friendly spirit, encourages them to continue to put in place family-friendly employment policies and practices to raise employers' awareness of the importance of family core values, and aims to foster a pro-family culture and environment. For the full list of awardees and other details, please visit the website www.ffeas.hk/english/index.html.

          

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (December 8) that the Reef Check this year showed that local corals are generally in a healthy and stable condition and exhibit a rich diversity of fauna species.
 
     Hong Kong Reef Check 2018, a four-month exercise that started in June, covered a wide range of areas including a number of sites of ecological importance as well as the best coral-growing sites known in the eastern part of Hong Kong waters extending from Tung Ping Chau in the north to Ninepin Groups in the south. Among the 33 survey sites, nine were within marine parks, including Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong and Tung Ping Chau.
 
     A variation in coral coverage, ranging from 13.0 per cent to 78.1 per cent, was recorded among the survey sites. Seventeen sites recorded over 50 per cent of coral coverage, including five sites within marine parks. Among all sites, Sharp Island North recorded the highest coral coverage of 78.1 per cent.
 
     Reef Check 2018 assessed the condition of corals at nine sites using the Coral Watch tool. By measuring the colour intensity of the coral using a specially designed Coral Health Monitoring Chart, the health condition of corals can be determined. The deeper the colour, the healthier the corals. The average health index of the sites was 4.04 (ranging from 3.33 to 4.28), which was similar to last year's figure (4.09). The average health index is well above the general average value (3), indicating that the corals are in a healthy and stable condition.
 
     Hong Kong Reef Check's survey method and data collection follow international standards. Reef Check divers recorded coral coverage and health status as well as other indicator species (including 20 species of fish and invertebrates). A correlation was observed between coral coverage and species diversity, indicating sites with high coral coverage tend to support more fauna groups in close association with corals. All of the 20 assigned indicator species were recorded in the survey sites, most of the survey sites were found to have a high species diversity. Wrasses, groupers, butterfly fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and cowries are species commonly found. Most of the groupers, wrasse, snappers and sweetlips were found in survey sites at Port Shelter and in north-eastern waters, including the three marine parks.
 
     Coral bleaching was observed at a few sites but the impact was minor and localised.
 
     No signs of destructive fishing practices were observed at any sites. Abandoned nets were found at a few sites but their impact was minor. The AFCD will arrange contractor to clear the nets.
 
     A total of 79 dive teams comprising more than 800 volunteer divers from different sectors of the community took part in the Reef Check this year. The AFCD presented souvenirs and certificates to the reef check teams and participating scientists to recognise their contributions.
 
     Hong Kong Reef Check is part of a global programme to promote the sustainable management of coral reefs. Hong Kong Reef Check aims to raise public awareness of the ecological importance of corals and the need for coral conservation, and to provide updated information on local corals for conservation and management. The Hong Kong Reef Check Foundation held the first Reef Check in 1997. The AFCD has collaborated with the Foundation in conducting the survey since 2000.
 
     For the sake of coral conservation in Hong Kong, the AFCD continues to put in place a series of measures and programmes. Key measures include the designation of marine parks and marine reserves for the conservation of marine environment and protection of corals; the organisation of a range of educational and publicity activities to enhance public understanding of the importance of protecting the marine environment and coral communities; the Reef Check and studies to monitor the status of coral communities of Hong Kong and provide information for effective and adaptive management; the installation of mooring and coral marker buoys to reduce coral damage caused by boating and recreational activities; the maintenance of a database to record the diversity and unique features of our local corals; and a consultancy study of coal bleaching and bioerosion in Hong Kong to collect updated and scientific data for detailed assessments and to recommend appropriate management measures and long-term monitoring.

          

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a restaurant in Jordan to suspend business for 14 days as the operator repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally and storing utensils in open space.
     
     The restaurant, located at Shop A, B and C, G/F and Cockloft, Nanking Building, No. 1F Nanking Street, Jordan, was ordered to suspend business from today (December 8) to December 21.
     
     "In December last year and September this year, two convictions for the above-mentioned breaches were recorded against the operator of the restaurant. A total fine of $8,600 was levied by the court and 15 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
     
     The licensee of the restaurant had a record of two convictions for extending the business area illegally in January and September last year. A total fine of $19,000 was levied and 30 demerit points were registered. The breaches led to licence suspension for seven days in January this year.
     
     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
     
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign, at a conspicuous place near the main entrance, indicating that the premises has been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/index.html).
 

     The Department of Health (DH) officially launched the "Healthy Hong Kong 2025 | Move for Health" Campaign today (December 8). Under the campaign, various activities will be held across the territory in the coming year to encourage the public to "move for health" and increase their physical activity to build an active lifestyle and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
 
     The campaign is a core programme under "Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong" (SAP) announced by the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) and the DH in May this year. The Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of NCD chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health has made reference to the World Health Organization's strategy and guidelines in formulating the SAP, under which nine local targets to be achieved by 2025 and a series of strategies and measures to tackle NCDs were set out.
 
     Speaking at the launch event, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, smoking and alcohol drinking are the major causes of NCDs. At least a third of NCDs can be prevented through adopting a healthy lifestyle. The threat of NCDs must not be ignored as serious impacts would be imposed on people's quality of living, healthcare system, productivity and economic development, he added.
 
     Mr Cheung said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along supported creating an environment supportive of healthy living. Members of the pubic are actively encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle, such as having a diet with less oil, salt, sugar and meat but more fruits and vegetables, increasing the amount of physical activity and staying away from tobacco and alcohol.
 
     "Government bureaux and departments are setting an example by encouraging their staff members and the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the threat of NCD risk factors to their health. This will set a model for other businesses and organisations to follow."
 
     Other officiating guests at the launch event were the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Commissioner for Labour, Mr Carlson Chan; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Leung Ka-wing; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Wong Ka-hing; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; and the Deputy Secretary for Education, Mr Woo Chun-sing.
 
     Along with the launch of the one-year "Healthy Hong Kong 2025 | Move for Health" Campaign today, the DH has produced a series of publicity materials to promote a healthy lifestyle to the public to help prevent NCDs. These include a new announcement in the public interest for broadcast on TV, radio and social media platforms.
 
     To further encourage community participation, the DH is also inviting District Councils to make use of its newly launched "Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong" Community Engagement Funding Scheme to organise community health promotion activities in various districts in the coming year. It is hoped that synergy can be created to build and strengthen the sustainable and supportive environment, atmosphere, habits and culture at the district level to promote healthy living.
 
     At the launch event, the DH also unveiled the campaign mascot Lazy Lion, who was joined by Mr Cheung and other officiating guests in dancing along to the campaign theme song to share the fun of exercising with participants.
 
     The name of Lazy Lion refers to the mascot's laziness, which has stopped him from going outdoors and doing exercise – echoing some Hong Kong people's excuses and reasons for not doing any exercise.
 
     In the TV commercial premiered at the launch, Lazy Lion gradually makes changes to his lifestyle for the sake of better health and starts to "move for health" by helping with the housework, climbing stairs and doing stretches. It is hoped that by arousing the public's empathy with Lazy Lion, who originally didn't like exercising at all, members of the public will be motivated to take the first step to "move for health" and in the long run make physical activity part of their daily lives.
 
     The campaign theme song is sung by musician and songwriter Mr Hanjin Tan, featuring a lively rhythm to encourage people from all walks of life to exercise more. For more information on the campaign, please visit the DH's Change for Health website (www.change4health.gov.hk).
 
     Lazy Lion will continue to encourage the public to develop an active lifestyle by various means. Please follow his Facebook (www.facebook.com/lazylionhk) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/lazylionhk) pages for his latest moves.