Yesterday, our students had a profound experience during the "Mind Space" tour at Castle Peak Hospital. In addition to learning about the hospital's history, they immersed themselves in the realities faced by individuals with mental health challenges through virtual reality (VR) technology. This journey, which included simulations of hallucinations and auditory experiences, provided a unique perspective that deepened everyone’s empathy and understanding of mental illness. The visit concluded with peer workers sharing their personal stories of overcoming these challenges. 

We hope this experience helps students gain deeper insights into the emotional journeys of those with mental health conditions, fostering a collective effort to break the stigma surrounding mental health.  

The students who participated in this visit conveyed that it was an invaluable experience.

"This visit made me realize that mental illness is quite common in Hong Kong, prompting me to pay more attention to the people around me.” – Lucas

"We should enhance our empathy and not discriminate against or distance ourselves from those facing mental health challenges." – Mandy

"It was a great opportunity to hear the sharing from peer workers.” – Boris

"Society should invest more resources to understand the experiences of those with mental health challenges." – Melinda