Megan Lam – My journey at KELY to help myself and others
As the new Executive Director of KELY Support Group, I am honoured to share my journey in youth mental health with our community. My journey started long before joining KELY Support Group’s board and team.
In 2008, at 16, I struggled with missed school days, failing subjects, and teacher comments about my “erratic performance”. I faced challenges at home, at my part-time job, and school, leading to weight loss, withdrawal, and severe sleep issues. The embarrassment of potentially being seen as a burden became dangerously internalised. I was unaware of my illness, and no one around me recognised it either.
My story is not unique; in Hong Kong, one young person dies by suicide weekly, and over half show signs of depression but do not seek help. This is the unfortunate norm.
The turning point came when I joined KELY Support Group’s Youth Suicide Prevention Programme through my school’s Community and Service initiative. Here, I met peers from diverse backgrounds, including a Libyan child soldier that came here as a refugee, and international students, all guided by teachers and the KELY team. By the end of the programme, we were certified peer supporters with practical counselling skills, mental health literacy, and launched campaigns to raise awareness in our respective communities. I vividly remember honing our active listening skills at St. John’s Cathedral, a skill I continue to use to create spaces where people feel heard and valued.
After the programme, I managed to graduate with my class and gained the confidence to pursue Applied Psychology, earn a postgraduate degree in Neuroscience, and continued on to co-found a digital health company focused on personalised mental health care and mindset growth.
Many of my cohort peers have since pursued careers in service, becoming Clinical Psychologists, Medical Doctors, Counsellors, and Policy Makers. This highlights KELY Support Group’s vision of helping every youth reach their full potential.
Witnessing and unlocking potential in the young people we work with is incredibly rewarding, underscoring the power of early intervention, peer support, and a supportive environment.
At KELY, we adopt a holistic approach to youth mental health wellbeing, recognising it as not just the absence of illness but the presence of positive traits like resilience, emotional regulation, and strong interpersonal relationships. Our programmes address these aspects, providing young people with the tools to navigate challenges and opportunities. Reflecting on my journey and our work at KELY fills me with hope and optimism. While much work remains, I am confident that we are making a significant impact on young lives. Together, we can break down the barriers surrounding mental health and create a world where every young person has the support and resources they need to thrive.
Thank you for being part of this journey, and I invite you to help us rewrite the norm.
If you are inspired by our work and would like to help us continue making a difference, please consider making a donation to support KELY Support Group. Your contribution can make a real impact.
This article was written for and a featured piece in KELY’s monthly Newsletter. To subscribe, please click here.
