According to the data from the Education Bureau, the number of teen suicide cases has been on the rise in 2023. To tackle with the growing mental health problems among secondary students, the Association has launched the two-year “Embrace Emotions Programme for the Youth", which incorporates music therapy, art therapy, mental health workshops, etc. A series of activities will be organised to raise participants’ awareness of one’s own mental health, and to guide them to establish a good mental state by relieving their negative emotions.

“Dears & Tears Youth Music Festival”, the first event of the programme, was held on May 5. The Association collected opinions from 1,800 secondary school students and compiled the “Top 10 canton pops for emotional soothing”. Two pop singers, Chiu-Fung (梁釗峰) and On Chan (陳健安) were invited to join other teenage performers in the music festival to reveal the results. The performance was uplifting and brought positive energy to the audience. Both Chiu-Fung and On Chan agreed that music is good for emotions and can help young people to get out of any emotional dilemma. 

Top 10 canton pops for emotional soothing elected by secondary students: 

• 隱形遊樂場
• 凡星
• 世一
• 海闊天空
• 緊急聯絡人
• 一人之境
• 小心地滑
• 青春告別式
• 到底發生過什麼事
• 假使世界原來不像你預期

“Embrace Emotions Programme for the Youth" helps teenagers relieve negative emotions through music, drawing, drama and various expressive arts. Music therapy is the major focus of the programme, where music therapist will design a wide range of activities including singing, playing musical instrument and percussion for the young people at the camp. Not only does the programme serve junior secondary school students, but also teachers and parents, hoping to build a strong support network for the youth. 

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