Cover Yvette Kong (far right) at the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum on February 4 (Photo: courtesy of Kong)
Yvette Kong (far right) at the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum on February 4 (Photo: courtesy of Kong)
1 / 1
Olympian and mental health advocate Yvette Kong co-chaired the closing panel at the fourth Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum in Iloilo City, Philippines, calling for a shift in how young people are positioned within mental health systems
Yvette Kong, a founding board member of Mind Hong Kong and member of Lululemon's mental wellbeing global advisory board, led the final session of the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum on February 4 alongside Kenyan advocate Judah Njoroge. The panel brought together youth leaders including Eduardo Vasconcelos from Brazil, Esther Faith from the Philippines, and Anne Sharlene from South Africa to discuss transitioning from youth engagement to genuine youth leadership in mental health advocacy.
The three-day forum at the Iloilo City convention centre represented the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on mental health advocacy, drawing experts and advocates from more than 170 countries. The event marked the first such convening in Asia, highlighting the Philippines' advances in mental health legislation and its significant expansion of government funding in this area.
See also: Gen.T honouree Yvette Kong brings education to the forefront at Hong Kong's Yidan Prize Summit
Inside the forum (Photo: courtesy of Kong)
1 / 2
In her opening remarks, Kong referenced Lululemon's global wellbeing report, noting that 60 per cent of Gen Z worldwide experience loneliness, whilst more than 75 per cent feel pressure to manage their wellbeing. "We've spent too long designing for young people instead of with them, inviting youth to speak but rarely trusting them to lead," Kong said during the panel.
She proposed a clear framework for change, arguing that whilst youth leadership is frequently celebrated, it requires proper structural support. "If we're serious about change, we need to design for power, resources and care," she said, emphasising that systems must provide young advocates with genuine decision-making authority, transparent funding and the support necessary to sustain their work.
The forum featured keynote sessions with Emma Rawson Te-Patu, the first indigenous leader of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, and Zeinab Hijazi, Unicef's global lead on mental health. Programming also included topics like reimagining mental health through LGBTQI+ perspectives, with more than 2,200 participants registered globally and 500 attending in person.
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print. She also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts — curates star-studded events, and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
