Amy CHAN

Student of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exchange to The Black Dog Institute, Australia

Daylight time is longer these days as the summer approaches. I feel so light at heart while strolling back home and watching the sunset. The slow pace of living in Sydney renders a big contrast to the hustle-and-bustle of Hong Kong, the city I’m from.

My research area is in the domain of psychology and mental health. With the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship, I got this wonderful opportunity to spend four months at the Black Dog Institute in Sydney. The Black Dog Institute is a world class organisation focusing on mental health research, intervention and education. It has been an amazing experience! Not only do I have the honour to work with a group of exceptionally talented colleagues coming from a wide array of background (psychology, computer engineering, neuroscience, design, etc), being able to observe the operation of a well-run organization is truly rewarding. It is exciting to see how the Black Dog Institute is able to make a tremendous impact to the Australian mental health landscape and to spread its best-practices to the rest of the world.

Aside from my research work, living in Sydney allows me to witness the interaction of nature, social policy, business practices and well-being. The abundances of natural landscapes allow residents to stay active after work or school. The weekend discount on public transport encourages families to bond while travelling together to do various activities. The prevalence of vegetarian/ vegan eateries and organic produce facilitates ethical consumption. All of these elements provide a good foundation for a healthy community.

Macro factors can have a huge impact on individual well-being. Mental health burdens cannot be reduced by psychotherapy alone. It requires an enabling social and political environment, so individuals can thrive based on their own virtues.

There’s only one month left before I have to leave this amazing city. There are so many things I’m going to miss. Anything from the gorgeous beaches, the sound of the birds, to the kindness of the Australian people. I hope I can carry the “No worries” attitude back home and continue to keep my lightness of heart.

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