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Life in Hong Kong is fast-paced and high-pressure, leaving many individuals frequently under immense stress. When faced with difficulties in relationships, work, finances, health, or interpersonal matters, individuals may feel overwhelmed and unable to manage crises or relieve stress. Prolonged anxiety and distress can lead to emotional disorders such as depression, affecting daily life and work; in severe cases, it could result in tragic outcomes such as self-harm or suicide. According to the Hospital Authority’s 2015 estimates, over 300,000 people in Hong Kong suffer from depression—a figure three times the global average and steadily rising. The World Health Organization projected that by 2020 ,depression would become the second most prevalent illness worldwide. These alarming statistics spotlight an urgent and ongoing need for high-quality psychological counselling services - an issue that cannot be ignored.
Recent Western research in psychology and counselling has revealed that religion and spirituality play a significant role in supporting mental health by helping individuals discover meaning in life, maintain inner peace and joy, and foster spiritual growth.
Psychologist Viktor E. Frankl observed that having meaning in life is a vital source of strength in times of adversity. Thus, many counselling approaches have begun to incorporate religious and spiritual elements to improve therapeutic effectiveness.
In Hong Kong, Buddhism is one of the six major religions, with over one million followers. In addition, Buddhist concepts such as “being in the present” and “letting go of attachment” are widely accepted, even valued, by many non-Buddhists. Against this backdrop, our Centre’s integration of Buddhist wisdom into counselling services is both timely and aligned with the current trends.
While Hong Kong offers a wide range of counselling services, Buddhist spiritual counselling is a pioneering model. The core of Buddhist teachings is to alleviate suffering and attain happiness; its practice centers on cultivating the mind, nurturing wisdom, and attaining inner peace. Our Centre’s guiding principle is to support individuals in deepening self-awareness, learn to nurture and illuminate the mind, and applying Buddhism wisdom into everyday life. This path helps individuals liberate from suffering and regain peace and ease.
