Growing up is often associated with joy and possibilities, yet it also comes with emotional struggles, mental distress, and, at times, even risks to life itself. The D. H. Chen Foundation believes that overcoming these challenges requires more than professional intervention – it demands collective effort from students, teachers, families, and peers.

In 2024, the Foundation partnered with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Service of the Hong Kong Red Cross to launch Supportive Net Weaver at Lok Sin Tong Yu Kan Hing Secondary School. The initiative, dedicated to rebuilding youth support networks and nurturing compassion within Hong Kong community, adopted the Psychological First Aid (PFA) approach. It equips young people with coping strategies during stressful situations to build long-term resilience – distinct from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), which focuses mainly on identifying symptoms. Supportive Net Weaver empowers young people to take an active role in safeguarding their own wellbeing, rather than relying solely on mental health professionals.

Building on the pilot’s success, the Foundation aims to embed evidence-based PFA principles within Hong Kong’s Values Education Curriculum Framework, aligning with the 4Rs Mental Health Charter led by the Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This integration seeks to transform mental health support from reactive, isolated interventions to proactive school-wide initiatives that foster empathy, resilience, and stronger social connections.

Entering Phase 2.0, Supportive Net Weaver introduces a three-tiered structure to strengthen support networks for youth mental wellbeing.

The PFA for School Curriculum programme weaves PFA principles into Values Education classes for junior grades through structured lesson plans that build self-awareness, social competence, and responsible decision-making.

The enhanced Compassionate Hero Programme provides a multi-year learning pathway for senior students, progressing through four levels – from basic mental health awareness to standard PFA certification – nurturing student ambassadors who embody compassion in action.

“Feel the Heart” Workshops further expand community capacity through e-learning, intensive training, and organisational support for youth workers. These include the innovative Heart Journey Board Game, a creative tool for sparking meaningful conversations about emotions among youth people. Each year, Feel the Heart also supports one nonprofit in integrating PFA principles into its services, generating insights for future community partnerships.

Through Supportive Net Weaver 2.0, the Foundation strives to strengthen youth resilience and community connection by engaging young people and youth workers in a shared journey toward greater mental wellbeing, and to build a more compassionate Hong Kong where young people feel supported, valued, and empowered to care for one another.