The Peer Advocate Leadership Academy
Become a Mental Health Leader in Your Community
This program is specifically designed for non-Chinese youth aged 15-24 in Hong Kong who are passionate about mental health, interested in psychology, and motivated to support the well-being of their peers and community.
Why Join?
- Boost Your Future: Enhance your CV and university applications with a prestigious leadership program from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
- Become a Certified Advocate: Graduate with an official ‘Mental Health Peer Advocate’ certificate, recognizing your specialised skills and commitment.
- Learn from Experts: Gain invaluable knowledge directly from HKUST faculty, psychologists, and mental health professionals.
- Lead Real-World Projects: Move beyond theory. Design and deliver your own mental health initiatives and gain practical peer support experience.
- Build Your Network: Connect with a powerful group of like-minded peers and professionals from diverse non-Chinese backgrounds.
- Accelerate Personal Growth: Develop crucial life skills in communication, leadership, and resilience that will serve you for a lifetime.
- Foster a Supportive Culture: Empower your students or service users to become mental health ambassadors, creating a more caring and understanding environment.
- Exceptional Leadership Development: Offer your students a unique opportunity to build high-impact skills in advocacy, leadership, and community engagement.
- Address Student Needs Proactively: Equip students with the relevant skills to support the well-being of their non-Chinese peers.
- Strengthen Community Links: Collaborate with the HKUST project team on a meaningful initiative that benefits your students and the wider community.
What You Will Achieve:
Key Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, you will be able to:
Develop Personal Resilience &
Self-Awareness
Understand your own mental health better and build robust strategies for personal well-being.
Acquire Peer Support Skills
Learn foundational mental health knowledge, active listening, and how to safely support your peers.
Master Community Engagement
Gain the skills to design and lead effective mental health awareness events and campaigns.
Cultivate Cultural Competence
Learn to discuss mental health in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner.
Drive Youth-Led Initiatives
Be fully prepared to apply your new skills and lead mental health promotion projects.
Your Journey to Becoming a Peer Advocate
Becoming a certified advocate is a structured journey. To graduate, all participants must successfully complete the following three steps:
Step 1:
Attend the 5-Day Intensive School
Fully immerse yourself in the training. A minimum of 80% attendance is required to advance.
Step 2:
Lead Community Promotion Events
Put your learning into action. Design and deliver 3 mental health promotion events or sharing initiatives within your school or community, with the goal of reaching at least 80 individuals in total.
Step 3:
Practice Your Peer Support Skills
Apply your new skills through structured practice. You will conduct support sessions with 3 peers, guiding them to develop their own self-care toolkits using the rubric and case summary approach provided by our program.
Graduate and Get Certified!
Upon completing all three steps, you will officially graduate as a ‘Mental Health Peer Advocate’ and receive a formal certificate from HKUST, detailing the comprehensive training you have undertaken.
Are You Ready to Lead?
Register Now!Information for Schools & Organisations
If you are a school or community organisation interested in this program, you can refer youth directly or explore partnership opportunities. Please contact us for more information.
Contact Us