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Jimmy Chow

A Hong Kong student who once struggled with anxiety and perfectionism has turned her experience into a campaign to raise awareness of mental health.
Charlotte Yuen Cheuk-lam, founder of Be Positive HK, is a finalist in this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the youth category for her leadership in promoting empathy and open dialogue among students.
Yuen, 18, said that when she started secondary school, she felt trapped in a cycle of pressure and self-doubt. “I was anxious about exams and couldn’t stop thinking about failing,” she said.
The turning point came when she sought help from her school social worker.
Through counselling, she realised that mental health was not something to hide; it was something to talk about.
“I learned that sharing my story doesn’t make me weak,” she said. “It helps me and others feel less alone.”
Motivated by that realisation, Yuen founded Be Positive HK, a student-led campaign to normalise discussions about mental health.
The initiative uses social media, storytelling and workshops to connect students with accessible information on well-being.
“Even one post or conversation can make someone feel less alone. That’s already a start.”
Since launching in 2022, Be Positive HK has grown to include more than 40 volunteers from schools in Hong Kong and overseas.
Its Instagram page has reached more than 46,000 users, offering resources on anxiety, self-care and resilience.
The team has also partnered with NGOs to organise mindfulness sessions and creative workshops for students and people with disabilities.
“I wanted mental health to feel relatable,” Yuen said. “When you talk about it in simple ways – through art, music or even short videos – people start to see that it’s part of everyday life.”

Yuen’s creative side also shapes her advocacy. A talented musician, she was selected for the Young Composer Workshop by the Hong Kong Arts Festival’s Young Friends programme.
Her nine-minute composition for the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble was inspired by her journey of embracing imperfection. The piece later earned her a creativity scholarship from Maryknoll Convent School where she studies.
Her work has inspired peers to create their own projects and talk more openly about mental well-being.
“I’ve seen classmates who used to stay quiet about their emotions now speak up and even join our campaign. That’s when I feel the impact.”
She was named Student of the Year by the South China Morning Post and was a finalist in the Hong Kong Outstanding Teens Election for her contributions to youth mental health awareness.
Still, she sees her advocacy as an ongoing journey. “I’m not trying to fix everyone’s problems. I just want people to know that their feelings are valid, and help is always available.”
Looking ahead, Yuen hopes to study psychology or education to deepen her understanding of mental health and help more young people find balance in life.
The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards are co-organised by the Post and Sino Group to recognise the city’s unsung heroes who contribute to the community or inspire others with stories of courage and perseverance.


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Hong Kong

Society

Charlotte Yuen set up Be Positive HK, which uses social media, storytelling and workshops to connect students with information on well-being


Charlotte Yuen set up Be Positive HK, which uses social media, storytelling and workshops to connect students with information on well-being.


Spirit of Hong Kong

How Hong Kong teen’s struggle with anxiety led to student mental health campaign

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Charlotte Yuen set up Be Positive HK, which uses social media, storytelling and workshops to connect students with information on well-being

Charlotte Yuen set up Be Positive HK, which uses social media, storytelling and workshops to connect students with information on well-being