Nonprofit worker Alison hopes to foster conversations around mental health in the disability community. She joined the Fellowship to learn about the barriers that different communities in Hong Kong face when accessing care, and to gain skills to develop an accessible peer support space for people with disabilities.

Hong Kong is home to Alison, and there is plenty she wants to do to make the city more welcoming to people with disabilities. As a member of the disability community, she sees how people with disabilities and mental health conditions are alienated from greater society: they face physical and social barriers when receiving an education, searching for jobs, and forming social connections. Drawing inspiration from the concept of unity in diversity, she is committed to doing her part to ensure that everyone has the right to receive quality education and equal access to opportunities to advance their careers and socialize with others.

Alison works at the local charity CareER Association, which connects people with disabilities with inclusive employers, fosters equal job opportunities, and cultivates a peer support community for people living with disabilities. As a Specialist in Member Engagement, she designs and facilitates peer workshops that enable community members to forge bonds as well as exchange insights on wellness, career goals and personal development. In addition, she is pursuing a Master’s in Counseling to develop her skills as a mental health professional. She has also taken part in Dream Catcher, a counseling tutorial program organized by Caritas Hong Kong, intended to support the mental health of underprivileged primary school students during COVID-19. Through these experiences, she appreciates the value of positive psychology, resilience, and peer support in overcoming adversity.

Alison joined the Fellowship to create space for people with disabilities to have honest conversations about their mental health challenges. She hopes to understand the health and wellbeing struggles facing different communities, and use that knowledge to build an accessible peer support space centering people with disabilities.

In her free time, Alison finds pleasure and peace in drinking tea, tidying her living space, and watching movies and documentaries. She is always glad to share recommendations and film reviews.