From the KELY Frontlines to the United Nations: Non-Judgmental Listening and Empathy as Youth's Safety Net
—— The Voice of Youth: KELY Youth Mental Health Connector Andrea
Standing on the international stage at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Youth Forum, youth from 22 countries and regions collectively voted to elect Andrea from Hong Kong as one of the representatives to co-deliver the forum's closing speech. She made a resounding appeal to the world: "Substance abuse prevention is a vital investment in our shared future."
This was a precious opportunity, as well as a heavy responsibility. Yet, looking back at the starting point of this journey, Andrea’s original intention was incredibly pure—she simply wanted to catch her peers who were silently struggling in low points and turned to drugs.
Behind Alcohol and Drugs: Unresolved Stress
Andrea observes that fearing mental health 'stigma', many youth silently swallow their pain under immense academic and societal pressure. She notes that mental health and substance abuse prevention are deeply linked: "Substance dependence is often just a symptom; its root cause is a lack of healthy coping mechanisms amongst youth."
Without a safe, non-judgmental space to process emotional trauma, young people may numb themselves with alcohol or drugs. Andrea reflects: "If we only warn against the harms of drugs while ignoring the psychological struggles behind the youth, we are only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. True prevention must start with mental health support."
Seeing this, Andrea decided to start with peer support. Her determination to become a KELY "Youth Mental Health Connector" stems from a profound realisation: when young people hit low points, they turn to friends first, not adults. To offer truly non-judgmental companionship, she joined KELY to help build a psychological safety net, preventing peers from turning to drug dependency when facing unaddressed stress.
At KELY, She Rediscovered the Power of 'Active Listening' and 'Empathy'
Her experience volunteering on the frontlines at KELY became the solid foundation for Andrea stepping onto the UN stage. However, she smiles and notes that this 'peer support' journey is actually a two-way process of growth and transformation.
Before training, she instinctively jumped into 'problem-solving' mode when friends confided in her. At KELY, she rediscovered 'active listening' and 'empathy', realising peers often don't need a perfect solution—they simply desire to be 'seen, heard, and understood'.
This mindset shift helped her shed her impatience, becoming a composed and highly empathetic youth leader, planting the seed for her confident voice on the international stage.
Social Media & Drugs: The Growing Youth Risk Gap
Carrying this empathy into the UNODC Youth Forum, Andrea was surprised to discover that despite cultural differences, young people globally face strikingly similar challenges.
A shared concern is how social media algorithms 'normalise' and 'glamourise' drug and alcohol abuse, severely skewing young people's risk perception—especially regarding cannabis. Amidst anxiety and digital isolation, these substances easily become an escape from reality.
Recognising this global challenge, Andrea became even more convinced of the need to equip young people. She confidently shared KELY’s practical "NICE" refusal skills (Saying No, using "I" statements, Changing the topic, Exiting the situation), an empathetic Hong Kong approach that garnered high praise from multinational delegates.
Seeing international representatives embrace this drug-prevention method made her incredibly proud. This pride stems from her hopes for local youth: "I hope the international community knows that young people in Hong Kong remain full of resilience when facing adversity. Through 'peer support', we can turn from passive to active, becoming each other’s most solid line of defence."
"How have you been lately?" – The Most Powerful Support
Bringing the invaluable UN experience back to Hong Kong and inspired by the global trend of "Youth Co-creation", Andrea hopes Hong Kong youth will partner with KELY to co-design advocacy campaigns and workshops that truly resonate with local youth culture.
For those wanting to support a friend, Andrea offers this empowering advice: "You do not need to be an expert, a teacher, or a counsellor to make a difference. The most powerful tool is simply the willingness to listen attentively."
She suggests pulling a friend aside to ask, "How have you been lately?", and listening non-judgmentally. Because young people speak the same language, your companionship is often their strongest support.
We sincerely congratulate Andrea and thank the Narcotics Division, Security Bureau for their backing. Her journey perfectly illustrates KELY’s mission—empowering young people to reach their full potential. We look forward to continuing to equip youth with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to support themselves and each other.
