Abstract
Background: Psychological morbidity is commonly found in medical students.
Aims: The Mental Health Support Group (MSG), a student-initiated and student-run web-based peer support service aims to provide mental health information, e mail counseling and an online forum for medical students.
Methods: The development process of MSG is described in the paper with presentation of preliminary evaluation results.
Results: Preliminary evaluation shows promising results. Student members of MSG acquired valuable skills in counseling, communication, webpage design and maintenance of an online forum.
Conclusions: Future challenges include succession issues, strategies to keep up the momentum, enhancement of publicity and further diversification of service to meet the needs of our students.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
K. S. Lau
KS LAU is medical student members of Mental Health Support Group (MSG).
K. H. Siong
KH SIONG is medical student members of Mental Health Support Group (MSG).
H. Y. Tang
HY TANG is medical student members of Mental Health Support Group (MSG).
P. W. Cheng
PW CHENG is medical student members of Mental Health Support Group (MSG).
K. S. Cheung
KS CHEUNG is medical student members of Mental Health Support Group (MSG).
S. W. Chan
SW CHAN is medical student members of Mental Health Support Group (MSG).
P. W. H. Lee
PWH LEE is Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry.
J. G. W. S. Wong
JGWS WONG is the Director of the Programme for Effective Transition and Student Support.