DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI)

At Rotary, we are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service and leadership.

We strive to create a society where every person is valued and respected for their individuality, irrespective of age or background. In this month’s issue, we continue our “Why DEI Matters?” Series, promoting inclusivity and empowering older individuals to actively participate in their communities. Additionally, we emphasize the significance of mental health support to foster a compassionate and supportive environment for everyone.

“WHY DEI MATTERS?” SERIES

Lack of Social Inclusion

Older individuals are often subjected to unequal treatment, particularly in regards to accessing healthcare and social support. This unfair treatment also extends to the job market, where many older people face discrimination during the hiring process. Although international law mandates the elimination of all forms of discrimination, including those based on age, age discrimination is not explicitly mentioned in human rights agreements. Consequently, it remains prevalent and largely unaddressed, with varying levels of protection and efficacy offered by laws and policies across different countries.

Discrimination based on age is a major issue in Hong Kong, affecting many individuals over the age of 50 who are struggling to find employment. A recent survey conducted by the Association of the Retired Elderly found that 34% of respondents reported not meeting job requirements due to their age. This form of discrimination is unfortunately common and can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected.

In 2020, the Hong Kong Labour Department launched a three-year pilot scheme to encourage the elderly age 60 or above under EPEM to undergo and complete OJT through the provision of retention allowance. The Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged (EPEM) is an initiative to encouraging employers to hire unemployed elderly or middle-aged job seekers. This Programme also provides on-the-job training (OJT) to help job seekers adapt to new work environments and acquire essential job-specific skills.

Misconception of Mental Health

Mental health? Mental illness? The terms “mental health” and “mental illness” are sometimes mixed up, but it’s important to understand that there is a difference between them. It’s crucial to prioritize our mental health as it encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well~being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health affects how we think, feel, and act, and it plays a significant role in how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental illnesses, also known as mental health conditions or mental disorders, are diagnosable conditions that can cause distressing changes in one’s thinking, emotions, or behaviours. These conditions may impact an individual’s ability to perform daily activities.

There is a difference between mental health and mental illness.

Mental Health

Harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings about mental health conditions can lead to discrimination and missed opportunities for individuals affected by them. These misconceptions often include the misguided belief that people with mental health conditions are weak, dangerous, or unpredictable. Unfortunately, these preconceived notions can contribute to negative assumptions and stigmas about their abilities in the workplace, which can result in limited career advancement opportunities and inadequate provision of reasonable accommodations. Due to the fear of judgment and potential negative consequences, individuals with mental health conditions may face challenges disclosing their condition.

This fear can further exacerbate stress and strain on their overall well-being. Social isolation can also occur as loved ones may struggle to understand or fear mental health conditions. This isolation can intensify feelings of loneliness and hinder the support network available to individuals in need. Additionally, the stigma can impede access to essential healthcare, therapy, and community support services, which can significantly hinder the recovery and overall well-being of individuals with mental health conditions.

To create a more compassionate and conducive environment for individuals with mental health conditions, it is essential to challenge these stereotypes, promote understanding, and foster a supportive environment that encourages open dialogue and acceptance of mental health conditions. Providing education and ensuring inclusive policies and practices can help combat stigma and create a more supportive community for those in need.

Hong Kong and Mental Health

Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department (SWD) has subsidized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to establish 24 Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs). These centres offer the community comprehensive mental health support services, including prevention, counselling, and suicide prevention programs.

In addition, the SWD provides suicide prevention services, including outreach, immediate risk intervention, and intensive counselling for individuals in need and their relatives and friends.

As part of their efforts, the Health Bureau (HHB) plans to launch a mental health support hotline to provide immediate support and referrals. They also intend to establish a service centre on a trial basis to offer emotional support and counselling specifically for ethnic minorities. Both initiatives are targeted for implementation within 2023.

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在扶輪, 我們致⼒於以尊嚴和尊重對待每個⼈，讓每個⼈的聲⾳都能被聽到，並為聯誼、服務和領導提供公平的機會。

我們努⼒創造⼀個社會，讓每個⼈的獨特性得到重視和尊重，不論年齡或背景如何。在本⽉的專題中，我們繼續進⾏“為什麼多元、公平和包容性很重要？”系列，促進包容性，讓年⻑者積極參與社區⽣活。此外，我們強調提供⼼理健康⽀援的重要性，從⽽為每個⼈營造⼀個富有同情⼼和⽀持的環境。

“為什麼多元、公平和包容性(DEI)很重要？”系列

社會包容的缺乏

老年人常常受到不平等對待，特別是在獲取醫療保健和社會支援方面。這種不公平的對待也延伸到就業市場，在招聘過程中，許多年長人士面臨著歧視。儘管國際法規定消除一切形式的歧視，包括年齡歧視，但年齡歧視在人權協議中並未明確提到。因此，年齡歧視仍然普遍存在且很少得到解決。不同國家的法律和政策在提供的保護和其效力上也不盡相同。

年齡歧視在⼈權協議中並未明確提到。因此，年齡歧視仍然普遍存在且很少得到解決。不同國家的法律和政策在提供的保護和其效⼒上也不盡相同。 年齡歧視是⾹港的⼀個重⼤問題，影響到許多50歲以上的⼈⼠尋找就業 機會。退休⻑者協會最近進⾏的⼀項調查發現，34%的受訪者表⽰因年齡 ⽽不符合⼯作要求。不幸地是，這種形式的歧視很常⾒，並且對受影響者 的⽣活有重⼤影響。

在2020年，⾹港勞⼯處推出了⼀個為期三年的試點計劃，⿎勵 60歲或以上的⻑者在“⾹港中⽼年⼈就業計劃”（EPEM）提供的 留⽤津貼下接受和完成在職培訓。“⾹港中⽼年⼈就業計劃”是⼀個⿎勵雇主僱⽤失業的⽼年或中年求職者的計劃。該計劃還提供在職培訓，幫助求職者適應新的⼯作環境並獲得必要的⼯作技能 。

對心理健康的誤解

⼼理健康？精神疾病？“⼼理健康”和“精神疾病”這兩個詞有時會混淆， 但重要的是要理解它們之間的區別。優先考慮我們的⼼理健康⾄關重要，因為它涵蓋了我們的情感、⼼理和社交福祉。根據美國疾病控制與預防中⼼的說法，⼼理健康影響我們的思考、情感和⾏為，它在我們應對壓⼒、與他⼈相處和做出健康選擇⽅⾯起著重要作⽤。精神疾病，也稱為⼼理疾病狀態或⼼理障礙，是可診斷的⼼理狀況，可能導致在思維、情感或⾏為上的令⼈困擾的變化。這些狀況可能影響個⼈⽇常活動的能⼒。

心理健康和精神疾病之間存在區別。

Mental Health

關於心理健康狀況的有害刻板印象和誤解可能導致受影響個體被歧視和錯過機會。這些錯誤的認知通常包括認為有心理健康狀況的人軟弱、危險或不可預測。不幸的是，這些先入為主的觀念可能導致對他們在職場上能力的負面假設和汙名化，進而導致職業發展機會的受限和合理適應措施的缺乏。由於對被判斷和可能帶來負面後果的恐懼，有心理健康狀況的個體不願意向外人披露自己的狀況。

這種恐懼可能進一步加劇他們承受的壓力和負擔。社交孤立也可能發生，因為親人可能難以理解或害怕心理健康狀況。這種孤立可能加劇孤獨感，並阻礙有需要的個體從社交網路中獲得援助。此外，汙名化可能阻礙個體獲得必要的醫療保健、治療和社區支援服務，這可能嚴重阻礙患有心理健康狀況的人的康復和整體福祉。

為了給有心理健康狀況的個體創造一個更具同情心和有利的環境，挑戰這些刻板印象、促進理解，並培養一個有利的環境是至關重要的。

這鼓勵我們進行開放性對話和對心理健康狀況的接受。提供教育，確保包容性的政策和實踐，有助於打擊汙名化，為有需要的人群創造一個更具支持性的社區。

香港和心理健康

⾹港社會福利署（SWD）補貼⾮政府組織（NGO）建 ⽴了24個⼼理健康綜合社區中⼼（ICCMW）。這些中 image ⼼為社區提供全⾯的⼼理健康⽀援服務，包括預防、諮詢和⾃殺預防計劃。

此外，社會福利署還提供⾃殺防治服務， 包括外展、即時⾵險幹預，和針對有需要的個體及其親友的密集諮詢，以提供⽀援。

作為他們的努力的一部分，衛生局（HHB）還計劃推出一個心理健康支援熱線，提供即時支援和轉介服務。他們還打算試驗性地建立一個服務中心，專門為少數族裔提供情緒支援和諮詢。這兩個倡議計劃均將在2023年內實施。

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