Periscope

In his most recent Policy Address, the Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying called on Hong Kong's young people to grab the opportunities offered by China's vast market, to go and make their fortunes there. Varsity talks to Hong Kong people working in the Mainland and asks whether greater economic integration is the only way forward for Hong Kong.

Could the Mainland, and Guangdong in particular, be an answer to the shortage of residential care home places for the elderly in Hong Kong? The government seems to think so, committing more money to buying places in Guangdong homes for Hong Kong seniors. But as Varsity hears, some elderly are uneasy about the arrangement because of the lack of affordable quality medical care on the Mainland.

Civil society is often referred to as the 'third sector', distinctive from government and business, and encompasses charities and non-government organisations. This edition of...

Cases of improper fundraising and even fraud have raised public awareness about a lack of accountability and transparency in the way some charities are run. But a controversial proposal to establish a powerful charity commission to regulate charities was opposed by many groups who fear it could be used as a means to control charities. Although the plan has now been shelved, the debate highlights the difficulties of balancing accountability on the one hand and the autonomy of charities on the other.

Although civil society in China continues to face many challenges and restrictions, Chinese NGOs are continuing to develop and grow. Varsity takes a look at the role that Hong Kong NGOs have played and continue to play in that development.

The term corporate social responsibility - or CSR - has generated a lot of buzz in recent years. Many people in Hong Kong would associate it with the charitable and philanthropic acts of businesses. Practitioners say it goes further than that, and covers sustainability and engagement with workers, consumers and the community. But perhaps fewer people are aware of the criticisms that CSR is little more than corporate whitewashing and spin. Varsity looks at the arguments.

Mental illness strikes one in three people in Hong Kong, yet it is often either hidden or sensationalised. People with mental health problems suffer...

More than 195,000 people have been diagnosed with mental illness and are being treated within the public system. But Hong Kong's psychiatric services lag far behind those in other developed economies. Varsity hears how the shortage of psychiatrists, mental health social workers and a lack of adequate community support affects the lives and recovery prospects of those with mental health problems in Hong Kong.

Mental health problems and suicidal thoughts are common but often overlooked in the elderly By Charlene Kwan and Katrina Lee The sound of laughter and song...

Caring for family members with mental illness can be a lonely, difficult and stressful experience. Social stigma, a lack of social support and financial pressures add to the burden for carers and leaves them vulnerable to mental health problems themselves. Here, carers share their stories of frustration and hope.