Hong Kong started to observe Mental Health Month 2004 on the weekend with the launch of the Caring School program aimed at enhancing the mental health awareness of students, their family and teachers.

The theme of this year's Mental Health Month is "Think Positive, Live Positive".

Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Carrie Yau said Saturday that the program's objective is to encourage participating primary schools to promote the culture of caring for mental health.

"The program is aimed at inculcating teenagers to adopt a positive attitude in facing up to pressure," she said.

About 100 schools signed a charter to affirm their support for the program at Saturday's launching ceremony. They will organize activities like visits to rehabilitation centers, seminars, interactive activities or school-based activities to promote mental health.

Mental Health Month is an annual public education campaign organized by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, various government departments and non-governmental organizations.

Over the next three months, about 100 activities including seminars, workshops, exhibitions and recreational events will be held to boost mental health awareness among the public.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2004)