CU OSA Animation EP2

The logo of The Chinese University of Hong Kong is above Chinese text on a green background, stating: "香港中文大學 學生事務處 心理健康及輔導中心," which translates to "CUHK Student Affairs Office, Psychological Wellness and Counseling Centre.
A blue background with white Chinese text in the center that translates to "Confusion about counseling?" Cartoon illustrations of a concerned man on the left and a worried woman on the right. Small Chinese text appears at the bottom.
A red heart on an orange background with white Chinese text reading "中大心理健康及輔導中心" and "WACC" in bold letters; the same text appears smaller at the bottom.
A person in a yellow shirt stands holding their head, surrounded by sad and upset emoticons in thought bubbles. Chinese text at the bottom reads, "我們不想大學生要熬過大學生活.
Three cartoon athletes stand against blue, yellow, and green backgrounds: a male boxer with a championship belt and gloves, a male soccer player in uniform, and a female cyclist with a red bike and helmet. Chinese text is at the bottom.
A cartoon of a man with red boxing gloves.
Two illustrated hands shaking against a purple background. One arm wears a black sleeve, the other a yellow sleeve. Chinese text at the bottom reads "是伙伴關係," meaning "It's a partnership.
A businesswoman stands on the right, smiling. On the left are three illustrated people in diamond shapes, surrounded by colorful Chinese text related to work, learning, relationships, and personal topics, on a teal background.
A group of seven illustrated people stand in front of a large building with their hands raised, smiling. Chinese subtitles appear at the bottom of the image.
A green graphic with a QR code above Chinese text and the phrase “WACC website” in English. Below is a pink ribbon with the URL: www.cuhk.edu.hk/osa/wacc.

Client: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Duration: 01:40
Language: English/Cantonese/Putonghua
Video Ownership: The Client
Video Production House: Visual Media Limited

Video Objective

This video, produced by the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Mental Health and Counseling Centre, aims to raise public awareness and concern about mental health issues, particularly those affecting adolescents. Through vivid and heartfelt storytelling, the video demonstrates the importance of psychological counseling and shows how individuals can seek help and support when facing mental difficulties. Its core objective is to break the social stigma surrounding mental illness, encourage those in need to speak up, and enhance viewers’ awareness and willingness to utilize mental health resources.

Challenges in Creating the Video

The production team encountered several challenges during the making of the film. First, mental health is a highly sensitive topic, so the team had to present the stories in a truthful yet non-invasive manner, protecting the privacy and respecting the feelings of the interviewees, while avoiding excessive dramatization that might undermine professionalism and authenticity. Second, given the limited length of the video, conveying comprehensive and profound mental health information effectively within a short time—making the audience empathize without feeling overwhelmed—was another significant challenge. Additionally, since the target audience included a diverse group such as adolescents, parents, and educators, the content needed to strike a balance between being easy to understand and professional to resonate broadly.

Solutions

To overcome these challenges, the production team adopted several solutions: First, they conducted thorough research on the target audience’s needs and worked with professional psychological counselors to assist in scriptwriting and review, ensuring the content was accurate and empathetic. The video’s structure focused on narrative storytelling combined with realistic scenarios to help viewers engage and understand more easily, using emotional resonance to highlight the importance of mental health. Subtitles and visual symbols were incorporated to assist the audience in grasping key information clearly. The team also employed modern digital media tools in post-production editing to enhance visual and auditory effects, improving the overall viewing experience. Finally, contact information for psychological counseling centers was included at the end of the video, enabling those in need to access support promptly.

Contributions

This video has a profound societal contribution. It not only strengthens public understanding of mental health issues and raises the visibility and accessibility of mental health services, but also gradually reduces societal prejudice against mental illness. Through this film, the Mental Health and Counseling Centre expanded its outreach, especially establishing correct mental health support concepts among youths and young families. Moreover, the video serves as an educational and advocacy tool widely usable by schools and social welfare organizations, promoting the dissemination and deepening of mental health knowledge. Overall, the video successfully fosters social dialogue on mental health, supports more people in recognizing, self-caring, and actively seeking help, and carries positive significance for building a harmonious society.

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