Media OutReach
Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue Highlights the Urgent Need for Youth Mental Health Solutions and Support
Citi Foundation and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remain steadfast advocates for innovative and collaborative solutions to empower youth
HONG KONG SAR- Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2025 – Over 400 youth workers, academic professionals, policy makers and mental health practitioners convened at the Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue (HK Dialogue) on May 21 to advance solutions addressing mental health needs of young people.
Co-led by Citi Foundation and UNDP, and organized in partnership with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), the HK Dialogue was held in conjunction with the S+ Summit & Expo that attracted over 13,000 attendees over two days. The dialogue explored key challenges faced by young people with mental issues, examined related policy implications, and highlighted holistic support strategies and best practices. The event also featured an interactive exhibition, providing participants with valuable resources and information on youth mental health.
“Citi and the Citi Foundation have long invested in empowering young people and young social entrepreneurs in the communities we serve. Through impactful programs such as Youth Co:Lab, we strive to create an enabling environment that incubates innovative solutions developed by young people for some of the most pressing social issues,” said Vicky Kong, Chief Executive, Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited. “With the significant rise in young people facing mental health challenges in recent years, there is an urgent need to take action. We aim to achieve exactly that through the ecosystem that Youth Co:Lab has built over the years.”
Beniam Gebrezghi, Programme Specialist, Civil Society and Youth, UNDP Asia–Pacific said, “Through Youth Co:Lab initiatives, we have seen young people across the Asia-Pacific region drive innovative solutions to address mental health challenges and create meaningful change for the communities they serve. This reinforces our commitment to advancing mental health advocacy, not just in Hong Kong, but throughout the region. Prioritizing the mental well-being of youth is a collective responsibility. By empowering young people with the tools and support they need, we are not only helping them thrive but also fostering a generation that will lead us toward a more resilient, compassionate, and sustainable future. The well-being of our youth is the foundation upon which we build tomorrow’s leaders.”
Grace Chan, Chief Executive, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service said, “It is commendable that the Citi Foundation and the UNDP have co-created the platform of “Youth Co:Lab – Hong Kong Dialogue”, which brings together youth and adults from various sectors to collaborate in advancing service development. This year’s theme focuses on youth mental health. Given the significant needs in this area, we aim to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and encourage youth participation to create innovative, youth-friendly support systems. We hope for close collaboration and communication to create a more friendly social environment for our young people.”
Dr. Lam Ching Choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, said, “Genuine relationships between people are the foundation of mental health. Our society needs to reflect on our cultures and expectations, considering whether adults are providing space for youth to be autonomous, enabling them to explore their own paths. Human-centered policies and services are also crucial, as they allow young people to feel understood, accepted, and supported.”
Youth Co:Lab, co-created in 2017 by Citi Foundation and the UNDP, is the largest youth movement for empowerment, social entrepreneurship, equality, and social inclusion in the Asia-Pacific region and has supported young people in 28 countries and territories. Since its inception, activities supported by Youth Co:Lab such as the Hong Kong Dialogue have reached 300,000 participants across the region.
For high-resolution photos, please download via this link
Photo 1 Caption : Community partners and young people gathered at the Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue to explore solutions to address the pressing youth mental health needs in the city. Officiating at the opening ceremony were (from left to right):
- Dr. Lam Ching Choi, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Mental Health
- Beniam Gebrezghi, Programme Specialist, Civil Society and Youth, United Nations Development Programme Asia-Pacific
- Vicky Kong, Chief Executive, Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited
- Natalie Fok, Youth Speaker
- Chara Yau, Youth Speaker
- Grace Chan, Chief Executive, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service
Photo 2 Caption : Vicky Kong, Chief Executive of Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited, addressed the audience at the Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue opening ceremony.
Photo 3 Caption : Dr. Lam Ching Choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, shared his insights on mental health policy at the Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue.
Photo 4 Caption : Youth Co:Lab Hong Kong Dialogue featured an interactive exhibition – “One in Six Wellness Sanctuary”, to enhance public understanding of youth mental health challenges.
Hashtag: #Citi
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About Citi
Citi is a pre-eminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.
Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | X: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.citifoundation.com.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at www.hkcss.org.hk | Facebook:
www.facebook.com/HKCSS1947
Media OutReach
New Documentary A MONA LISA OBSESSION from Discovery to debut December 14 in Southeast Asia
Owned by Frank Huang, an art collector and Taiwanese technology leader from Taiwan, this depiction of the Mona Lisa from his private collection adds a unique perspective to the ongoing conversation surrounding one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most iconic works.
The Mona Lisa has long captivated the world with her enigmatic smile and mysterious gaze – over centuries, many artistic interpretations inspired by the Mona Lisa have emerged, with scholars discovering more hidden details and subtle symbols, fueling the fascination of the original painting.
Catch A Mona Lisa Obsession in Southeast Asia on the Discovery Channel, Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM SGT and on Discovery Asia on Sunday, December 14 at 9:00 PM SGT.
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About Discovery Channel
Media OutReach
Financial Stress Keeps Singapore Awake, while Overall Well-Being in APAC Lags Behind Global Peers
Promotion of exercise culture and therapy may boost physical and mental health
The Singapore report of the Cigna Healthcare International Health Study 2025, released today encompasses more than 11,000 respondents across 13 markets, including 1,000 in Singapore and 4,000 across the Asia-Pacific region. The study reveals that physical, mental and financial well-being are the three aspects prioritized by Singapore residents. However, financial well-being is ranked the lowest with almost four in 10 (39%) rating their financial health as “fair” or “poor”.
Raymond Ng, CEO & Country Manager, Cigna Healthcare Singapore & Australia said: “Health and vitality are key to building resilient communities. It promises the well-being of our workforce and enables us to grow and prosper as a society. While vitality and well-being levels held firm among Singapore residents, more needs to be done in today’s uncertain environment to tackle stressors that can negatively impact their physical and mental well-being.”
The key indicators of vitality and well-being in Singapore are as follows:
| Vitality Score | Overall Well-Being
(% rating as “excellent” or “very good”)
|
Top Three Areas of Well-Being
(% rating as “excellent” or “very good” in 2025) |
| 2025: 61.2
2024: 61.4 |
2025: 34%
2024: 33% |
Family well-being: 44%
Mental well-being: 36% Physical well-being: 34% |
On a regional level, overall well-being in Asia Pacific lags behind the global average, with less than three in 10 (28%) Asia-Pacific respondents rating their overall well-being as “excellent” or “very good”, compared to four in 10 (41%) globally. While physical and mental well-being are the two most important aspects of well-being for respondents globally, financial well-being is more important for those in Asia Pacific, coming in as the third most important aspect. With financial well-being remaining the weakest aspect across the globe, there is a pressing need for governments and organizations to render support to address financial concerns.
Robert Peat, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, Cigna Healthcare said: “Asia Pacific continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the world. To sustain this momentum, communities and employers need to recognize that healthy people are the foundation of a healthy economy and implement measures to close the gaps in their well-being.”
Sleepless in Singapore: Financial stress as the sleep killer
While mental well-being in Singapore remains stable with more than a third of respondents rating it as “excellent” or “very good” this year, eight in 10 (79%) respondents are stressed. Their greatest stressors are the current cost of living (53%); uncertainty about the future (47%); and personal finance (43%).
Stress affects more than mental and emotional health and can have huge implications on physical well-being. Our study reveals that disrupted sleep is the most common effect of stress among respondents in the nation, with close to half (48%) of respondents who are stressed reporting this effect, compared to 38% regionally.
Therapy remains underused by Singapore respondents. Despite nearly half (49%) of respondents reporting being negatively impacted by poor mental health, nearly nine in 10 (89%) say they did not receive counselling or therapy in the past 12 months, with 77% believing they do not need it. Given the impacts of stress and poor mental health on physical and overall well-being, more efforts are needed to raise awareness about the benefits of therapy and destigmatize seeking help.
Exercise culture runs strong in Singapore
More than a quarter (26%) of respondents in Singapore rate their exercise habits as “excellent” or “very good”.
When asked how they manage their weight, two-thirds (66%) said they exercise regularly, higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 61%; with only 4% of Singapore respondents turning to medication for weight management. The findings underscore a relatively strong exercise culture and the prioritization of healthy habits among those living in the nation. Communities and organizations may leverage the growing fitness trend to enhance physical well-being.
Cautious optimism around AI in healthcare
Close to half (47%) of Singapore respondents are positive about the impact of AI on healthcare, with 45% expecting it will reduce wait times within three years. This could have an outsized impact in Singapore, as respondents here are 29% more likely to have delayed or avoided getting care due to concern with wait times than their regional counterparts.
Additionally, almost half of Singapore respondents (48%) mention a reduction in human interaction as an expected change with the advent of AI. The challenge ahead is striking the right balance between efficiency and empathy.
The full findings of the report are available here.
Hashtag: #CignaHealthcare #CignaHealthcareInternationalHealthStudy #Health #Wellness #Wellbeing
https://www.cigna.com.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cigna-singapore/
https://www.facebook.com/cignasg/
https://www.instagram.com/cignasg/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Cigna Healthcare Singapore
Cigna Healthcare is a division of The Cigna Group, a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the health and vitality of every individual and every community. Cigna Healthcare is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the healthcare system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality.
Cigna Healthcare Singapore is a strong believer of total health and wellness and prides itself on delivering personalized solutions for the health of our clients and customers. To achieve this, Cigna Healthcare Singapore works as one global team and in close partnership with its customers, network providers and communities to understand and address their diverse needs. Learn more at
www.cigna.com.sg
Media OutReach
SWISS REJU wins “JESSICA Best AI Body Slimming Award” with INDIBA
The JESSICA Beauty and Wellness Awards celebrate excellence across luxury beauty, healthcare and wellness. It is one of the most recognized beauty industry awards in Hong Kong. The organizer, JESSICA, is a major lifestyle and media company. For over 25 years, JESSICA has been reporting on fashion, lifestyle and business, as one of the most trustworthy and influential media sources in Hong Kong.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to win this new, Best AI Slimming Award with JESSICA,” said the spokesperson for SWISS REJU. “Our goal was to provide our guests with top medical aesthetic technologies. Platforms like BTL EXION and INDIBA, are exactly the type of top medical technologies which SWISS REJU is heavily investing in. The breathtaking results powered by AI, reflect the endless possibilities new technologies can bring to the beauty and slimming field”
The JESSICA Beauty and Wellness Awards is extremely selective and has a rigorous nominations and editorial selection process. Only brands that have been proven to provide genuine service and excellent results are eligible to compete. Amongst the Winners this year, are Australian organic brand “CANVAS” and Japanese household name “Panasonic VITALIFT” beauty appliances.
SWISS REJU, with its heavy investment in new and prestigious technologies such as INDIBA (recently approved in Europe under the Medical Device Regulation), offers a seamless blend of traditional wellness and innovation, allowing guests to experience what many considered to be one of the most effective slimming treatments in Hong Kong. INDIBA with its trademark Proionic 448khz technology, is loved by the Top 1% most influential users in the world, amongst them European royalties, celebrity footballers and international singers.
The recognition of this major annual Award, reaffirms SWISS REJU’s commitment to exceptional technology. It is the 12th annual award won by the brand, representing a new record.
SWISS REJU and integrative power of cutting edge technologies
SWISS REJU’s trademarked “K-Lipolysis” body contouring program offers winning technologies including INDIBA, BTL EXION, Winback, ATP LIPO X, amongst others. It is the unique contouring solution beauty lovers are craving for.
Hashtag: #SWISSREJU #熱光溶脂
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