Advocacy and Media Pitching Case Sharing: ADHD Awareness Week 2023 Navigating success together

Dec 8, 20234 min read

Updated: Aug 5, 2024

Let’s Talk ADHD Association organizes the annual "ADHD Awareness Week" in Hong Kong, where various activities and seminars are held to promote ADHD information. Over the past six months, Team Prologue has been working closely with the association, conducting continuous advocacy efforts and arranging media interviews to explain and raise public and stakeholder awareness of ADHD. Added with the alleviation of the pandemic, the association was able to hold its first large-scale physical opening ceremony for the ADHD Awareness Week. By producing and publishing lightbox advertisements in various MTR stations, we attracted many citizens to participate the Awareness Week, and continue to pay attention to issues regarding ADHD even after the event.

The Chairperson of the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission, Mr. Ricky Chu Man-kin (forth left), Ms. Amanda Fok, the founder of Hong Kong Let’s Talk ADHD Association (fifth left) and Ms. Ali Lee, the Star Ambassador for the Awareness Week (sixth left) joined other distinguished guests to officiate the opening ceremony of the ADHD Awareness Week 2023

Lightbox advertisements of ADHD Awareness Week 2023 can be found in various MTR stations

This year's ADHD Awareness Week, themed "Navigating Success," kicked off with the opening ceremony and a public carnival held at Lok Fu Plaza on 22nd October. It was an unprecedented surprise that Mr. Daniel Kwan, an ADHD patient and the award winner of the Best Director award at the 95th Academy Awards for his film "Wonder Woman Saves the Universe," was invited to be the keynote speaker for an online lecture. We were also honored to have Ms. Ali Lee, a prominent artist, serve as the celebrity ambassador for the Awareness Week. It was heartening to see the participation of numerous ADHD-focused organizations and citizens at the event. Let’s Talk ADHD Association aims to promote access to appropriate information and treatment for ADHD patients, navigating a fulfilling and successful life.

Adults and children participating in the Brainwave Attention-Focused Challenge, where they use brainwaves to control mechanical spiders, testing their focus and experiencing the difficulties faced by ADHD patients

"As adult ADHD patients, we have encountered a dearth of information and mismatch of treatments. Neglecting ADHD symptoms can result in heightened risks of accidents, financial difficulties, or even mortality. Consequently, I founded this association to foster mutual assistance and establish an effective support system. I am immensely gratified to host the Hong Kong ADHD Awareness Week once again where we will elucidate further insights into ADHD for the general public."

Speech by Ms. Amanda Fok, founder of Let’s Talk ADHD Association

"I believe that the key to fostering accurate public understanding of ADHD, as well as acceptance and care for those affected, lies in the acronym of A-D-H-D: A for Awareness; D for De-stigmatization; H for providing Help; D for embracing Diversity. Through the association's advocacy, I hope the public can overcome prejudice, encouraging ADHD patients to seek professional help without hesitation, receiving appropriate medication and behavioral therapies to effectively manage their condition, and ultimately, unlock their full potential, and achieve success in life."

Speech by Mr. Ricky Chu Man-kin, chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission

"Being diagnosed with ADHD provided a concrete reason for the challenges I faced. Before, I could only blame myself. Despite my efforts, I struggled in school and felt like I was drowning or falling behind. The diagnosis brought me relief, as I suddenly felt like I no longer had to meet the same expectations as everyone else was holding me to. I am grateful to the association for organizing this event and inviting me to be a keynote speaker, helping people to understand that an ADHD diagnosis doesn’t signify the end of the world. Instead, it offers an opportunity to develop a system for gradual growth."

Mr. Daniel Kwan, the Academy Award-winning director sharing his ADHD diagnose experience via video

"I am deeply honored to be the Star ambassador for the Awareness Week and to take part in this meaningful event. Today I had the chance to engage in the 'attention sprint' experience, which gave me a profound understanding of the challenged individuals with ADHD encounter when it comes to focusing. I urge everyone to actively support the upcoming seminars during the Awareness Week, to empathize with ADHDers and gain a deeper understanding from their perspective."