world gives urgency to his mission. The World Health Organization has identified mental disorder as the number one disability in the world. The World Economic Forum also estimates mood disorders will cost the world economy US$16 trillion in direct and indirect costs between 2010 and 2030. In addition to severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychotic disorders, the increasingly prevalent mood disorders of anxiety and depression may also lead to dire consequences for the patients, their family and carers. Locally, data on patients with severe mental illness show that they have a shorter lifespan by eight to 10 years and are more likely to fall ill. ‘To my surprise, the quality of medical treatment they receive for physical diseases may be suboptimal – for example, there is evidence showing that they are less likely to undergo necessary cardiac procedures after myocardial infarction and their mortality rate is higher. Sometimes even we, the psychiatrists, fail to be fully aware of the physical health disparities experienced by people suffering from severe mental illness, let alone experts from other specialties,’ he said. As Chairperson of Psychiatry, Dr Chang hopes to improve patients’ lives by guiding the Department in several directions. One direction is to contribute new knowledge about mental illnesses, for instance by building on the solid foundation on a well-established research platform for early psychosis, and by producing more knowledge on child and adolescent psychiatric needs in Hong Kong. He is also keen to promote new technologies in research. Some colleagues are exploring other treatment modalities such as various non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, which can be effective in treating depression and some other disorders. Mobile apps and wearables also hold much promise for monitoring symptoms, predicting outcomes and as potential interventions. A more basic research question concerning the integration of neuroscience and psychiatry is also being studied in collaboration with the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, to name a few. ‘If we can further our understanding of the links between neuroscience and psychiatric symptoms, it will help us develop tailor-made, specific treatments for the mentally ill,’ he said. ‘This is why I think psychiatry is an exciting field. It is full of opportunities to discover new knowledge, like a new continent awaiting to be explored.’ Academic and clinical matters are not his only concerns. Dr Chang hopes the public can become more compassionate towards psychiatric patients, though he admits this is an uphill effort. ‘Ultimately, if we understand the origin and causes of mental illness better via research, we can offer better treatment with better outcomes, and dispel misunderstanding and stigma,’ he said. Dr Chang himself stays on an even keel through devotion to family life, a growing interest in Chinese history, watching his beloved Juventus football team, and staying fit. ‘I enjoy jogging. Running is quite relaxing and stress free,’ he said. ↑Dr Chang is keen to promote adolescent psychiatric health in Hong Kong. 張頴宗醫生樂於為促進 香港青少年精神健康而 努力。 ←The closing event of Mindshift School Mental Health Programme - a school-base mental health promotion project organised by the Department of Psychiatry. 「思動計劃」由精神醫學 系主辦，是專為本地中 學教師和學生而設的精 神健康計劃。 ‘If we can further our understanding of the links between neuroscience and psychiatric symptoms, it will help us develop tailor-made, specific treatments for the mentally ill. This is why I think psychiatry is an exciting field. It is full of opportunities to discover new knowledge, like a new continent awaiting to be explored.’ Dr Chang Wing-chung 13 HKUMed News Summer 2022
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