Mental Health Research Centre

15/10/2026

✨ MHRC - The 2nd Adolescent Mental Health Workshop 🧠

Adolescence is a critical stage of development, and promoting mental well-being has never been more important. Join us at the 2nd Adolescent Mental Health Workshop to explore current perspectives, research insights, and practical approaches to supporting adolescent mental health.

📅 Date: 10 November 2026
⏰ Time: 09:30 – 12:30
📍 Venue: Senate Room (M1603), 16/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, PolyU
(Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis)

🔗 Register via the link: https://polyu.hk/eLKta

✨ 第二屆青少年精神健康工作坊 🧠

青少年時期是身心發展的重要階段，而精神健康更是影響其成長與未來的重要基石。誠邀您參加由 香港理工大學精神健康研究中心（MHRC） 舉辦的 第二屆青少年精神健康工作坊，共同探討青少年精神健康的最新研究發展、挑戰及實踐經驗。

📅 日期：2026年11月10日（星期二）
⏰ 時間：上午9時時30分至下午12時30分
📍 地點：香港理工大學李嘉誠樓十六樓教務會議室（M1603室）（座位有限，先到先得）

無論您是教育工作者、醫護人員、研究人員、學生，還是關注青少年精神健康的人士，歡迎參與交流，一同推動青少年精神健康發展。

🔗 詳情及報名：https://polyu.hk/eLKta

#理大 #精神健康 #青少年精神健康 #心理健康

24/09/2026

Congratulations to Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling! 🎉

Warmest congratulations to Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, on receiving the World Young Aerosol Scientist Award 2026 from the International Aerosol Research Assembly (IARA)! 🌍

This prestigious award recognizes his outstanding contributions and remarkable achievements in aerosol science and technology. 🔬

As a member of RiFood, RIM, RISUD, and MHRC, Prof. Jin's interdisciplinary research bridges environmental chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, and data science. His innovative work addresses critical planetary health challenges, including 🌫️ air pollution and human health, 🌊 marine pollution and wildlife health, and ♻️ solid waste impacts on ecological health.

熱烈祝賀金靈教授榮獲「2026年世界青年氣溶膠科學家獎」🎊！

金教授憑藉在氣溶膠科學與技術領域的卓越研究成果，獲國際氣溶膠研究聯合會（IARA）頒發此項殊榮。

金教授為未來食品研究院、微生物研究院、可持續城市發展研究院及精神健康研究中心成員，其跨學科研究涵蓋環境化學、微生物學、毒理學及數據科學，致力以科研創新應對地球健康挑戰，促進可持續發展。🌱

#香港理工大學 #理大 #世界青年氣溶膠科學家獎 #科研成就 #可持續發展 #環境健康 #氣溶膠

23/09/2026

Wherever you are, may the full moon bring you a joyful time with family and positive mental well-being!💖

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2026!

26/08/2026

Prof. Vivian HUI Leads New Phase of PolyU-led Community Mental Health Support Programme for Fire-affected Residents

Prof. Vivian HUI, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Assistant Professor of the School of Nursing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been appointed Programme Lead of the new phase of the Community Mental Health Support Programme. Coordinated by the Advisory Committee on Mental Health under the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government and supported by a donation of over HK$10 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the programme will be implemented in 2026–2027 to provide sustained and comprehensive mental health support for residents affected by the Tai Po Wang F*k Court fire.

Under the new phase, a multidisciplinary team comprising psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals will provide mental health support services at 12 transitional housing sites. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the team will work closely with the JC JoyAge Project to further strengthen community outreach efforts, offering psychological counselling to individuals experiencing anxiety, stress and other mental health challenges. The programme will also facilitate access to appropriate medical and specialist services for those in need, thereby promoting mental well-being and recovery within the community.

Read more: https://polyu.hk/qKQzr

理大「凝聚・同行」計劃延續推行　許子晴教授率團支援受火災影響居民精神健康

香港理工大學精神健康研究中心成員及護理學院助理教授許子晴教授，獲委任為「凝聚・同行」社區精神健康支援計劃負責人。該計劃由醫務衞生局精神健康諮詢委員會統籌，並獲香港賽馬會慈善信託基金撥款逾一千萬港元支持，新一輪計劃將於2026至2027年度推行，為受大埔宏福苑火災影響的居民提供持續而全面的精神健康支援。

在新一輪計劃下，由精神科護士、職業治療師及其他專職醫療人員組成的跨專業團隊，將於12個過渡性房屋安置點提供精神健康支援服務。未來12至18個月內，團隊亦會與「賽馬會樂齡同行計劃」緊密合作，進一步加強社區外展工作，為受焦慮、壓力及其他精神健康問題困擾的人士提供心理輔導，並協助有需要個案接受適切的醫療及專科支援，促進社區精神健康及復元發展。

了解更多: https://polyu.hk/jwYmO

#理大 #精神健康 #心理健康 #社區支援 #心理輔導 #精神健康服務 #心理韌力 #社區復元

24/08/2026

Prof. Bolton CHAU, Associate Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, on being awarded a prestigious Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) Fellowship 2026/27 by the Research Grants Council (RGC)! 🎉👏

His groundbreaking project, "How distractors bias choices: Investigating mechanisms through computational modelling, neuroimaging, neurochemistry and neurostimulation", explores how distracting information influences human decision-making.

🔬 By integrating computational modelling, fMRI, MRS, and TMS, the research aims to uncover the brain mechanisms behind decision-making biases and contribute to:
✅ Evidence-based policymaking
✅ More objective and unbiased decisions
✅ Innovative treatments for psychiatric disorders

We are advancing cognitive neuroscience research and creating meaningful impact for society.

🔗 Read more: https://polyu.me/4fuNZ1t

理大精神健康研究中心（MHRC）副主任兼康復治療科學系副教授 周嘉鴻教授，榮獲研究資助局（研資局）2026/27年度「研究學者計劃」(RFS) ！🎉👏

周教授的研究項目《決策如何受干擾信息影響：運用計算模型、神經成像、神經化學和神經刺激研究其機制》，旨在探討干擾資訊如何影響人類決策。

🔬 研究將結合計算模型、功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）、磁共振波譜（MRS）及經顱磁刺激（TMS）等先進認知神經科學技術，深入了解決策偏差背後的神經機制，並有助於：

✅ 推動循證政策制定
✅ 促進更客觀及無偏決策
✅ 發展創新精神疾病治療方案

MHRC持續推動認知神經科學創新，為精神健康研究及社會發展帶來深遠影響！

🔗 詳情：https://polyu.me/4wQ1Gio

#理大 #精神健康研究中心 #認知神經科學 #精神健康 #腦科學 #科研成果 #創新研究 #香港科研

21/08/2026

🧠 Proud to share this latest research led by Prof. Anqi QIU, Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) at PolyU.

The study found that visceral fat is significantly associated with brain ageing and cognitive decline, with a much stronger impact than BMI alone. The findings provide new insights into brain health and dementia prevention.

由理大精神健康研究中心（MHRC）主任仇安琪教授領導的研究顯示，內臟脂肪與大腦老化及認知能力下降密切相關，其影響更顯著超越BMI。

【理大最新研究｜ 內臟脂肪威脅大腦健康？🧠】

肥胖與腦退化及失智風險息息相關，但臨床常用作評估指標的 BMI ，無法充分反映身體各部位的脂肪分布差異。

為打破這個局限，理大醫療科技及資訊學系神經信息學講座教授、精神健康研究中心主任及傑出創科學人仇安琪教授領導團隊，完成全球首項大規模多模態研究。團隊透過分析逾 18,000 名參加者的數據，證實特定部位的脂肪分布才是影響大腦與認知功能的關鍵！

研究顯示內臟脂肪的危害最深，不僅直接破壞傳送神經訊號的大腦白質，更易誘發慢性發炎，加速腦部老化與認知退化。幸好局部脂肪屬可調控風險，只要改善生活習慣便能主動預防神經退化。為此，理大將持續推動創新科研與應用，協助大眾更精準守護心智健康。❤️‍🩹

了解更多：https://polyu.hk/unnHv

【Visceral Fat vs. Brain Health: What’s the Real Link? 🧠】

While obesity is closely linked to brain ageing and dementia risks, traditional BMI falls short as it fails to accurately reflect how fat is distributed across the body.

To bridge this gap, Prof. Anqi QIU, Chair Professor of Neuroinformatics of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Director of the Mental Health Research Centre and Global STEM Scholar, led a team to conduct the world’s first large-scale multimodal study. Analysing data from over 18,000 participants, the team proved that where fat accumulates is the true key to brain structure and cognitive performance!

The findings reveal that visceral fat poses the greatest threat. It directly damages brain white matter — the pathways responsible for transmitting neural signals — and triggers chronic inflammation, accelerating brain ageing and cognitive decline.

The good news? Regional adiposity is a manageable health risk factor. By making targeted lifestyle changes to shed visceral fat, we can proactively ward off neurodegeneration. Moving forward, PolyU remains committed to driving innovative research and practical applications to help the public safeguard their cognitive health. ❤️‍🩹

Learn more: https://polyu.hk/Clfxv

#香港理工大學 #理大科研 #大腦退化 #內臟脂肪 #失智症預防

07/08/2026

香港理工大學康復治療科學系於 2026 年 7 月 23 日成功舉辦「CRNAT 照顧者評估及支援平台」研發計劃（第二階段）項目簡介會。感謝來自 19 間非牟利機構的 33 位代表，以及 3 位照顧者親臨參與，共同探討如何透過科技創新，建立更全面、更及時、更精準的照顧者支援服務。🤝

由曾永康教授領導、並獲理大精神健康研究中心（ ）資助的兩年期研究計劃，將進一步優化 CRNAT 平台，擴展至支援十個殘疾類別的照顧者，並結合人工智能、機器學習及服務映射功能，協助及早識別照顧者需要及風險，促進適切的資源配對。

我們期待透過跨界別合作及科技應用，推動照顧者支援模式由「被動回應」邁向「主動預警」，共同建構更具包容性及前瞻性的照顧者支援生態。

The CRNAT Caregivers Risk and Needs Assessment Tool (CRNAT) Phase II Project Briefing Session was successfully held on 23 July 2026! Organised by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the event brought together 33 representatives from 19 NGOs, alongside caregivers who shared their valuable experiences and insights.

Led by Prof. Hector Tsang and funded by PolyU’s Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), the two-year project aims to further enhance the CRNAT digital platform by expanding support to caregivers across ten disability categories and strengthening its assessment, risk identification, and service mapping functions.

By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, the project seeks to shift caregiver support from a reactive approach to a proactive early-warning model, enabling more timely, targeted, and inclusive support for caregivers and their families.

Together, through innovation and cross-sector collaboration, we can build a stronger and more inclusive caregiver support ecosystem for the community.

#理大 Health #照顧者支援 #康復治療科學 #社區支援 #人工智能 #共融社會

21/07/2026

PolyU research newsletter, 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑫𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕!
Breaking News: Multilingual AI Cognitive Screening for the Chinese-Speaking Community
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮, Member of MHRC
Read More:👇
https://polyu.hk/CvJMe

🤖 🗣️ 用於早期認知篩查的AI語音分析🤖 🗣️
🤖🗣️ 𝐀𝐈-𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 🤖 🗣️

認知障礙（cognitive impairment, CI）在長者中相當常見。及早介入可協助延緩病情惡化，避免發展成輕度認知障礙（mild cognitive impairment, MCI）甚至阿茲海默症。

理大語言科學及技術學系暨數據科學及人工智能學系暫任系主任（人工智能及人文學科）兼神經科學及人工智能講座教授梁化樓與其研究團隊，展示AI語音分析如何可支援更實用且具包容性的認知篩查。該研究團隊的認知篩查系統，於「INTERSPEECH 2024 TAUKADIAL Challenge」挑戰賽中，在「簡短智能測驗（Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE）認知分數預測」項目奪得第一名，及「輕度認知障礙分類」項目獲第二名。

該系統將語音視為數碼生物標記（digital biomarker），標誌著認知障礙診斷領域的重大突破。

Cognitive impairment (CI) is common among older adults. Early intervention can help delay progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.

Prof. Hualou LIANG, Interim Head (Artificial Intelligence and the Humanities) and Chair Professor of Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Language Science and Technology and the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at PolyU, and his research team show how AI-based speech analysis may support more practical and inclusive cognitive screening. The research team’s cognitive screening system secured first place in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) cognitive score prediction and second in MCI classification at the INTERSPEECH 2024 TAUKADIAL Challenge.

The system uses speech as a digital biomarker, marking a significant advance in CI diagnosis.

More 更多：https://polyu.hk/CvJMe

#理大 #認知障礙 #輕度認知障礙 #阿茲海默症 #創新 #研究 #理大研究

21/07/2026

PolyU research newsletter, 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑫𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕!
Beyond BMI: How Fat Distribution Shapes the Ageing Brain
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐐𝐈𝐔 𝐀𝐧𝐪𝐢, Director of Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC)
Read More:👇
https://polyu.hk/NEJeL

𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠

As populations age, protecting brain health has become increasingly important.

While previous research has focused mainly on body mass index (BMI), Prof. Anqi QIU, Global STEM Scholar and Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at PolyU, and her research team showed that regional fat distribution is associated with brain structure, functional connectivity, white-matter integrity and cognition—independently of BMI.

The research found that, among all fat depots, visceral adiposity showed the strongest adverse associations with brain integrity and cognitive performance.

Prof. Qiu and her team showed that moving beyond BMI is essential for achieving a more precise understanding of obesity-related brain ageing, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s-related risk.

More: https://polyu.hk/NEJeL



體脂分佈：或是評估腦部老化的更精準指標

隨着人口老化，維持腦部健康變得越來越重要。

過往研究多集中於體重指數（BMI）。然而，理大醫療科技及資訊學系教授暨全球STEM學者仇安琪及其研究團隊的研究顯示，局部脂肪分佈與大腦結構、功能連結、白質完整性及認知能力均存在關聯，而這些關聯獨立於BMI。

研究發現，在各類脂肪儲存部位之中，內臟脂肪與大腦完整性及認知表現的負面關聯最為顯著。

仇教授及其團隊指出，要更精準地理解與肥胖相關的腦部老化、認知衰退及阿茲海默症相關風險，不應只依賴 BMI 這一指標。
更多：https://polyu.hk/NEJeL

#理大 #認知 #阿茲海默症 #腦部健康 #老齡化 #局部脂肪 #脂肪分佈 #內臟脂肪 #創新 #研究 #理大研究

25/06/2026

Maintaining muscle health helps protect the brain against depression, PolyU study reveals key mechanism 🧠💪

A recent study led by Principal Investigator Prof. Sonata Yau and funded by the Mental Health Research Centre at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has uncovered an important biological mechanism underlying the antidepressant effects of exercise. The research team found that apelin, a myokine released by muscles during physical activity, serves as a crucial mediator linking skeletal muscle and the brain, helping to promote emotional well-being and protect brain function. The findings further highlight the significant benefits of exercise for mental health.

The team also highlighted that, for older adults, maintaining muscle health is important not only for preserving mobility but also for supporting mental well-being. As muscle mass naturally declines with age, regular exercise helps sustain apelin production, enabling the brain to continue receiving these essential signals. This may help combat depressive symptoms and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

The findings deepen understanding of how exercise supports brain health and further underscore the importance of maintaining muscle health through regular physical activity, providing new scientific evidence for promoting mental well-being and healthy ageing.

🔗 Read the full research papers via the link below:
https://www.psypost.org/scientists-discover-how-exercising-muscles-communicate-with-the-brain-to-fight-depression/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-026-03651-y

保持肌肉健康有助護腦抗抑鬱　理大研究揭示關鍵機制🧠💪

由香港理工大學精神健康研究中心資助、首席研究員邱淑瑜教授領導的最新研究，揭示了運動發揮抗抑鬱作用背後的重要生物學機制。研究團隊發現，肌肉在運動過程中會分泌一種名為 Apelin 的肌因子（myokine），而這種分子正是連繫肌肉與大腦、促進情緒健康及保護腦部功能的重要媒介，進一步印證運動對精神健康的顯著益處。

團隊亦指出，對長者而言，維持肌肉健康不僅有助保持活動能力，更是維護精神健康的重要生物學基礎。隨著年齡增長，肌肉量會逐漸流失，而持續運動有助維持 Apelin 的分泌，讓大腦持續接收這些關鍵訊號，從而發揮抗抑鬱作用，並有助預防認知功能衰退。

這項研究不僅深化了對運動護腦機制的理解，亦進一步凸顯透過恆常運動維持肌肉健康的重要性，為促進精神健康及健康老齡化提供了新的科學依據

#理大 #精神健康 #神經科學 #抗抑鬱