MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION & PREVENTION

Taking Action for Wellness

"Taking Action for Wellness” is a localized self-care and mental health recovery education program, adapted from the "Taking Action for Whole Health & Wellbeing Course” developed by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with mental health advocate Dr. Mary Ellen Copeland and a diverse advisory committee.

This program is designed to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges by providing practical self-help tools, skills, and strategies. It helps gain a deeper understanding of their personal needs in wellness and recovery, while enhancing their awareness and capacity in health management, daily wellness planning, and crisis response. Ultimately, the program aims to empower individuals to take an active and self-directed role in their recovery journey.

Goals of localization development

Our Aims

To enhance participants’ self-awareness and self-management skills, and to support them in developing a personalized "Wellness Toolbox” that helps maintain holistic health when facing life’s challenges and crises.

Our Services

To organize and deliver the "Taking Action for Wellness” Self-Management Course, workshops, and related activities within the Association and in the community on a regular basis.

Service Target

Persons in mental recovery (PMRs), carers, and peer support workers across different service units of the organization, as well as general public who are interested in improving their wellbeing.

Milestones

2025	Marked the 15th anniversary of the program with a major curriculum revamp. Adopted the evidence-based framework "Taking Action for Whole Health and Wellbeing” (developed by the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery and SAMHSA) to replace the original WRAP® materials. Officially renamed the program in English as "Taking Action for Wellness” to align with the Association’s strategic focus on wellness self-management.
2024	In June 2024, 16 Advanced WRAP® Facilitators completed a 16-hour online training by the Copeland Center on "Taking Action for Whole Health and Wellbeing”. In September 2024, 2 trainers from the Copeland Center was invited to Hong Kong to conduct a 5-day "Taking Action Co-Facilitator Training” for 18 staff members, strengthening professional capacity and ensuring program quality. The Association was awarded the International Wellness and Recovery – Centers of Excellence Certificate (IWCEC) by the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery (USA), in recognition of its outstanding efforts in promoting Taking Action for Wellness.
2023	Invited trainers from the Copeland Center (USA) to Hong Kong (March 20–31, 2023) to conduct Advanced WRAP® Facilitator Training and a Refresher Course. 22 staff members, peers, and caregivers completed the 5-day training to strengthen facilitation skills and deepen their understanding of WRAP® values and ethics.
2022	WRAP® Facilitators actively delivered 12-hour evidence-based WRAP® Basic Training across multiple Association-led mental health promotion projects.
2021	Launched "WRAP® x TALK,” an online interactive podcast series on the "Informed Learning” platform sponsored by the Li Ka Shing Foundation.
2020	Produced an animated short film series titled "WRAP® for the Pandemic” to support the well-being of staff and service users during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019	More than 200 certified WRAP® facilitators and advanced-level WRAP® facilitators had been trained by the Association, including persons in mental recovery and caregivers.
2018	Incorporated WRAP® as one of the core program components in the 3-year project "JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness,” in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences of The University of Hong Kong. Provided WRAP® Basic courses and WRAP® Facilitator Training to elderly peer supporters and social service staff.
2017	Press Conference on We WRAP® for Well-being –The Effectiveness of WRAP® was held on 23 February 2017. The WRAP® Around the World Conference held in June 2017 in Sacramento, US, featured the late Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sania YAU Sau Wai, JP,† as a keynote speaker.
2016	Awarded WRAP® Centers of Excellence by the Copeland Centre for Wellness and Recovery. Published journal article on WRAP® effectiveness for Chinese in Hong Kong, namely "Effectiveness of Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) for Chinese in Hong Kong”. Presented WRAP® effectiveness at "Beyond Recovery: Well-being for All” symposium.
2015	After the WRAP® training provide by "WE WRAP” Project, 11 University students and 18 PIR and carers became certified WRAP® facilitators. Hosted a workshop in WRAP Around the World 2015 Conference (Washington, DC).
2014	Users, Carers, peer support workers and staff started co-leading WRAP® workshops and groups. "WE WRAP” Project funded by Health Care and Promotion Fund was launched. 10 staff, users, carers and peer support workers became advanced-level WRAP® facilitators.
2013	Organized the first local certified WRAP® Facilitator Training Course (Chinese Version). Publication of WRAP® Facilitator Training Manual (Chinese Version). 14 staff became certified WRAP® facilitators. 12 users, carers and peer support workers became the second group of certified WRAP® facilitators. The late Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sania YAU Sau Wai, JP,† shared the experience in the development of WRAP® in Hong Kong in the 2nd WRAP® Around the World Conference.
2012	2 facilitators attended an Advanced-level WRAP® Facilitator Training in United States and became Hong Kong's first two persons to obtain this accreditation. Provided local certified WRAP® Facilitator Training Courses in Hong Kong.
2011	4 certified WRAP® Facilitators attended the first WRAP® Around the World Conference. Mary Ellen authorized New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association to translate WRAP® Facilitator Training Manual and book of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) in Chinese. WRAP® trial programs executed at different service units. Regular gathering for experience sharing by WRAP® Facilitators.
2010	New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association sent professionals to visit Copeland Center for Wellness & Recovery (hereafter, Copeland Center) in the US to investigate the feasibility of adopting WRAP in Hong Kong. After the WRAP® Facilitator Training provided by the Copeland Center in Hong Kong, 20 professionals become the first group of certified WRAP® facilitators in Hong Kong.