PUBLICATIONS

• Chan, M., Li, T. M., Law, Y. W., Wong, P. W., Chau, M., Cheng, C., ... & Yip, P. S. (2017). Engagement of vulnerable youths using internet platforms. PLoS one, 12(12), e0189023.

  • The aim of this study was to explore the online distress and help-seeking behavior of youths in Hong Kong.

  • Methods: A cross-sectional telephone-based survey was conducted among 1,010 young people in Hong Kong. Logistic regression analysis was then performed to identify the factors associated with those who reported expressing emotional distress online and the differences in help-seeking behavior among four groups of youths: (1) the non-distressed (reference) group; (2) “Did not seek help” group; (3) “Seek informal help” group; and (4) “Seek formal help” group.

  • Results: The seeking of help and expression of distress online were found to be associated with a higher lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation. The “Seek formal help” and “Did not seek help” groups had a similar risk profile, including a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury, unsafe sex, and being bullied. The “Seek informal help” group was more likely to express distress online, which indicates that this population of youths may be accessible to professional identification. Approximately 20% of the distressed youths surveyed had not sought help despite expressing their distress online.

  • Implication: The study’s results indicate that helping professionals have opportunities to develop strategic engagement methods that make use of social media to help distressed youths.

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• Chan, M. K., Bhatti, H., Meader, N., Stockton, S., Evans, J., O'connor, R. C., ... & Kendall, T. (2016). Predicting suicide following self-harm: systematic review of risk factors and risk scales. The British Journal of Psychiatry, bjp-bp.  209 (4) 277-283; DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.115.170050

  • Background: People with a history of self-harm are at a far greater risk of suicide than the general population. However, the relationship between self-harm and suicide is complex.

  • Aims: To undertake the first systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies of risk factors and risk assessment scales to predict suicide following self-harm.

  • Method: We conducted a search for prospective cohort studies of populations who had self-harmed. For the review of risk scales we also included studies examining the risk of suicide in people under specialist mental healthcare, in order to broaden the scope of the review and increase the number of studies considered. Differences in predictive accuracy between populations were examined where applicable.

  • Results: Twelve studies on risk factors and 7 studies on risk scales were included. Four risk factors emerged from the meta-analysis, with robust effect sizes that showed little change when adjusted for important potential confounders. These included: previous episodes of self-harm (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.68, 95% CI 1.38–2.05, K = 4), suicidal intent (HR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.91–3.81, K = 3), physical health problems (HR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.16–3.43, K = 3) and male gender (HR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.70–2.46, K = 5). The included studies evaluated only three risk scales (Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) and Scale for Suicide Ideation). Where meta-analyses were possible (BHS, SIS), the analysis was based on sparse data and a high heterogeneity was observed. The positive predictive values ranged from 1.3 to 16.7%.

  • Conclusions: The four risk factors that emerged, although of interest, are unlikely to be of much practical use because they are comparatively common in clinical populations. No scales have sufficient evidence to support their use. The use of these scales, or an over-reliance on the identification of risk factors in clinical practice, may provide false reassurance and is, therefore, potentially dangerous. Comprehensive psychosocial assessments of the risks and needs that are specific to the individual should be central to the management of people who have self-harmed.

JOURNAL PAPERS

• Law, Y. W., Chan, M., Zhang, H., Tai, L., Tsang, S., Chu, P., & Yip, P. (2019). Divorce in Hong Kong SAR, 1999–2011: A Review of 1,208 Family Court Cases. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 60(5), 389-403.

• Huen, J. M., Lai, E. S., Shum, A. K., So, S. W., Chan, M. K., Wong, P. W., ... & Yip, P. S. (2016). Evaluation of a digital game-based learning program for enhancing youth mental health: a structural equation modeling of the program effectiveness. JMIR mental health, 3(4), e46.

• Li, T. M. H., Wong, P. W. C., Chan, M., Law, Y. W., Fu, K. W., Chau, M., & Yip, P. S. F. (2015). Sexual and mental health in compensated dating in youth in Hong Kong: An exploratory quantitative study. Jacobs Journal of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. v. 1 n. 1, article no. 006

• Wong, P. W. C., Li, T. M. H., Chan, M., Law, Y. W., Chau, M., Cheng, C., Fu, K. W., Bacon-Shone, J., & Yip, P. S. F. (2015). The prevalence and correlates of severe social withdrawal (hikikomori) in Hong Kong – A cross-sectional telephone-based survey study. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 61(4), 330-342.

• Meader, N., Semaan, S., Halton, M., Bhatti, H., Chan, M., Llewellyn, A., & Des Jarlais, D.C. (2013) An international systematic review and meta-analysis of multisession psychosocial interventions compared with educational or minimal interventions on the HIV sex risk behaviors of people who use drugs. AIDS Behaviour. 17(6) 1963-78

• Kendall, T., Taylor, C., Bhatti, H., Chan, M., Kapur, N. (2011) Longer term management of self harm: summary of NICE guidance. British Medical Journal, BMJ 2011;343:d7073

• Cape, J., Chan, M., Lovell, K., Leibowitz, J., Kendall, T. (2011) Management of generalized anxiety disorder: the updated NICEguideline. Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal, Vol 11(2), p12-16

• Kendall, T., Cape, J., Chan, M., Taylor, C. (2011) Management of generalised anxiety disorder in adults: summary of NICE guidance. British Medical Journal, BMJ 2011;342:c7460

• Mitchell, AJ., Chan, M., Bhatti, H., Halton, M., Grassi, L., Johanssen, C., Meader,  N. (2011) Prevalence of depression, anxiety and adjustment disorder in oncological, haematological, and palliative-care settings: a meta-analysis of 94 interview-based studies. The Lancet Oncology, Vol 12 (2), pp160-174

 BOOKS AND GUIDELINES INVOLVEMENT

• Published in 2013

  • ​Yip, P. S. F., Law, Y. W., & Chan, K. Y. M. (2013). Suicide prevention in Hong Kong: Opportunities and challenges. Suicide: a global issue. Volume 2, Prevention.

  • Psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people, NICE Clinical Guideline 155

• Published in 2011​​

  • ​Self-harm: the longer term management of self-harm, NICE Clinical Guideline 133

  • Hong Kong: Little Prince is Depressed - Depression and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Supplementary Reading Materials for Teachers)

  • Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) in adults, NICE Clinical Guideline 113