Advocate for our rights through Self-help and Mutual-help Endeavour

“Mental illness is still a taboo in Hong Kong nowadays. Although the society is more open when compared with the past, we still need to have more companions who share the same mission to offer help to those in need.” said Ms Chan Wai Ching, the Chairperson (2008-2009) of the Concord Mutual-Aid Club Alliance (CMACA), expressing her views about self-help group in Hong Kong.

As the Chairperson of the self-help group of people with mental illness, Ms Chan promoted self-help and mutual-help among members in the CMACA through various kinds of activities. She is also an active advocate for the rights of people with mental illness. On one occasion, she was invited to engage in an activity which has become the most unforgettable experience that she has ever had – to speak at the Legislative Council on behalf of CMACA.

“I remember that the theme of the discussion was about mental health policy. I expressed our wish during the meeting that the government should give more support to people with mental illness on their employment, since being employed meant we could make good use of our talents and to integrate into the society. That was the first time I ever spoke at the Legislative Council. Although my performance might not be very outstanding, I was glad that we were given a place in society to express our opinions.”

Looking ahead, Ms Chan will continue to lead the Concord towards the goals of promoting self-help and mutual-help and fighting for their rights. She is longing to see more people joining them in this cause and giving recognition to what they have been doing.

Grounded on the conviction that people with mental illness possess the ability to contribute to the society and are entitled to their basic human rights, we endeavor to promote the work of self-help and mutual help and support the empowerment and self-help development of people with mental illness.

Concord Mutual-Aid Club Alliance (CMACA) is a self-help group set up by the Association’s service users. It was registered as a Society in accordance with the provisions of section 5A(1) of the Societies Ordinance in 1998, and was recognised by the Inland Revenue Department as a charitable institution in 2002. Then it became a member of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service in October the same year. The goals of CMACA are: i) promote and develop mutual-help among the Alliance members, ii) advocate for the rights of people with mental illness, iii) improve their life quality, and iv) participate actively in affairs related to the welfare of people with mental illness.

To realise the principle of self-help, CMACA organises different kinds of programmes on a regular basis, including self-help groups, home visits, leadership training, and recreational activities. It advocates strongly for the rights of people with mental illness, fights for public transport concessions, reform of medical policy, rehabilitation services and the social welfare development. Through close contact with various governmental departments and professionals in the field of social welfare, CMACA also expresses vigorously the needs and opinions of people with mental illness. Furthermore, CMAMC takes the initiative to stay connected with other self-help organisations, and together, they express the issues faced by people with mental illness like new psychiatric drugs and public transport concessions, to Legislative Council members and the Hospital Authority. In addition, CMACA also participates actively in various international conferences, exchanges ideas about promoting self-help and mutual-help of people with mental illness.

For more information about CMACA, please visit: http://www.concord.org.hk