UBS Optimus Foundation – Seeing The Invisible: A community-wide program for children and families affected by childhood eczema

Eczema is the most common pediatric skin disease affecting 15-20% of children worldwide and 30% of children in Hong Kong. More than 160,000 children (0 to 14 years old) in Hong Kong are currently suffering from this disease. Children with eczema experience sleep problems, fatigue, social problems, lowered self-esteem and emotional distress, among other difficulties. Parents are no less affected by their child’s condition, facing difficulties such as emotional distress, diminished social activities and declining quality of life.

Sponsored by the UBS Optimus Foundation, the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of The University of Hong Kong launched the first Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit (IBMS) Programme for children with eczema and their parents during the summer of 2017. Results show the course effectively relieves children’s physical and mental issues, help them cope with eczema and learn from the experience. The course also improves parents’ overall quality of life and self-care awareness, leading them to develop closer parent-child relationships.

Body-Mind-Spirit Workshop for Children with Eczema and Caregivers was documented by the “Doctors and You” program of RTHK. The course was interviewed by the “Doctors and You” program of RTHK. For details, please refer to this web page: http://podcast.rthk.hk/podcast/item_epi.php?pid=1326&lang=zh-CN&id=103966.