Health Information and Tips for DSE Students

Background

• The Student Health Service of the Department of Health aims to safeguard both the physical and psychological health of students through health promotion and disease prevention services. The Department of Health is concerned about the health needs of students at different stages, including the challenges faced during the exam season.

• With the exam season approaching, it is expected that students will study and revise during the long holidays. The Student Health Service of the Department of Health will explain the health problems that students may encounter during exams, especially public exams, and related health tips.

Mental Health Issues

Symptoms of stress may occur in the following aspects:

• Body
• Mood
• Thoughts
• Behaviour
• Attention
• Pre-existing mental health problems

Mental Health Tips

Mental Health Tips for DSE students

• Stress relief
• Relaxation
• Deep breathing
• Connecting with others
• Planning for uncertain outcomes
• Visualisation

Providing Support to DSE Students: Tips for Parents

• Home environment
• Relaxation
• Family atmosphere
• Realistic expectation
• Positive communication
• Validation
• Acceptance
• Informational support
• Stand by Me

Other Health Issues

• Decreased physical activity
• Unhealthy dietary habits
• Increased screen time
• Inadequate and disturbed sleep

Overall Health Tips

B.R.E.A.D.

• Break
• Rest
• Exercise
• Awareness
• Diet

Break

• Pay attention to screen time
• Appropriate stretching and relaxation

Rest

• Develop good sleep habits
• Do some relaxing activities one hour before sleep

Exercise

• Engage in appropriate physical activities every day

Awareness

• Pay more attention to your own thoughts, emotions, and physical condition

Diet

• Maintain a balanced diet
• Maintain a regular intake of constant amount of food
• Avoid eating late night supper

Online Health Resources

• “Emotional Health Tips”- Exam Stress Management
  <https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/eht_esm/eht_esm.html>
• “One-Minute Mental Health”
  <https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/one_minute_mental_health/one_minute_mental_health.html>
• “Self-Test Station”
  • Anxiety
    <https://scics.one.gov.hk/forms/dhs006/dhs006_en.html>
  • Depressive Mood
    <https://scics.one.gov.hk/forms/dhs005/dhs005_en.html>
• YouthCan.hk
  <https://www.youthcan.hk/en/>
  • Provides “Infotainment”(Infographics + Videos)
  • During DSE from April to July
    • Exam Stress
    • Results Release
• Distributes mental health information and recommendations to primary and secondary schools and non-governmental organisations, encouraging them to support and participate in caring for students' emotional, mental, and psychosocial health.

Online Resources

• Student Health Service Centres
  <https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/resources/resources_forms/resources_forms.html>
• YouthCan.hk
  <https://www.youthcan.hk/en/>
• Emotional Health Tips – Exam Stress Management
  <https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/eht_esm/eht_esm.html>
• “Adolescent Health Programme”
  <https://www.ahpshs.gov.hk/english/abo_us/abo_us.html>
• “Whole School Health Programme”
  <https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/hps/hps.html>
• One-minute Mental Health
  <https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/one_minute_mental_health/one_minute_mental_health.html>
• Self-Test Station
  • Anxiety
    <https://scics.one.gov.hk/forms/dhs006/dhs006_en.html>
  • Depressive Mood
    <https://scics.one.gov.hk/forms/dhs005/dhs005_en.html>

Other Government Resources

• ShallWeTalk
  <https://www.shallwetalk.hk/en/>
• ShallWeTalk – Examinations
  < https://www.shallwetalk.hk/en/school/students-common-sources-of-stress-exam/>
• ShallWeTalk – Practical Tips on Managing DSE Exam Stress
  <https://www.shallwetalk.hk/en/news/practical-tips-on-managing-dse-exam-stress/>
• 18111 Hotline
  <https://www.shallwetalk.hk/en/get-help/mental-health-support-hotline-18111/>

Department of Health

Student Health Service

Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control NCD in Hong Kong