Description

The Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association will be holding the "Spinning Zone. Relax" Mental Health Education Exhibition at The Hall, G/F, Nan Fung Cotton Mill, from March 7 to 9, 2025. The exhibition aims to raise public awareness about body image anxiety and eating disorders, and provide an interactive platform for visitors to explore and redefine their perception of body image. People from all walks of life are sincerely invited to visit and experience the exhibition. Each participating member of the public will receive a free 'Chill Love Yourself' amulet (3 designs available), symbolizing blessings for freedom from body image anxiety, embracing a positive mindset towards eating, and jointly promoting mental health discussions about body image anxiety among the public and youth.

The "Spinning Zone. Relax" Mental Health Education Exhibition consists of five parts:

1. 'Spinning Zone' is an interactive exhibition conceived as a clothing store, where members of the public can join hands with individuals affected by eating disorders to redefine their perception of body image, unshackle themselves from past anxieties, and embrace their own beliefs and perspectives about body image;

2. 'Behind the TAGs' showcases clothes that once troubled individuals with eating disorders, allowing visitors to listen to the real-life stories behind the garments and understand the relationship between body image and mental health;

3. 'Dialogue with the Shop Owner' sharing sessions provide an opportunity to listen to personal stories from individuals with eating disorders, helping attendees deeply comprehend the struggles related to body image and eating habits, and how body image plays a crucial role in shaping the self-image of adolescents. Interested members of the public are required to line up for participation on a first-come, first-served basis;

4. In the interactive activity 'WE-write OUR Tags', participants can redefine 'body image', reflect on mainstream body image standards, and learn to accept their own body image;

5. In the collective creative activity 'Weaving Blessings Together', participants choose their favorite fabric pieces, write down ways to love themselves, and a tailor will connect the different pieces in the style of a 'hundred families' quilt. Together, we weave a 'love yourself' (Self-Compassion) quilt, blessing everyone living in this culture of body image consciousness.

Ms. Ho Wu Kit-yu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association, pointed out that buying clothes is a part of daily life in Hong Kong. The culture of body image reflected in clothing has become so 'normal' that it subtly shapes our beliefs about beauty and ourselves. From then on, clothes have taken on a new 'meaning': 'For individuals who have experienced eating disorders (Eating Disorders), those XS and S-sized clothes represent their dieting achievements. They are concrete symbols of the recognition, self-confidence, and sense of control they gain from being 'thin'. However, when dieting spirals out of control, 'body image' starts to erode their eating habits, physical and mental health, and even their relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and partners.' She also noted that individuals with eating disorders are hidden in various corners of society, struggling with emotional challenges that are hard for others to understand – 'It's just eating, how hard can it be?'.

The 'Spinning Zone. Relax' Mental Health Education Exhibition is free of charge and open to the public. The number of participants and souvenirs is limited, available on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.

For the latest updates on the event, please follow the Hong Kong Eating Disorders Association - HEDA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HEDAhk, IG @setyourbodyfreehk, and stay tuned for on-site announcements.