A project to raise funds for young people suffering from depression was launched yesterday.
The John Tung Foundation will be collaborating with the 7-Eleven convenience store chain to place donation boxes in its outlets. The donation drive will continue until the end of June.
The partners in the project, entitled "Turning Depressed Youths Toward the Sun," yesterday encouraged the public to donate their spare change when shopping.
Teen idol and singer Jolin Tsai (
"Of the 2.4 million young people nationwide, an estimated 10 percent to 40 percent may be suffering from depression at any given time, with 2 percent to 3 percent of those needing professional help. We hope this project will give these youths hope for the future and turn them toward the sun," according to the foundation's chief executive, Yeh Ching-chuan (
According to research results on the foundation's Web site, one person in five has suffered from depression, but only 4.1 percent of them seek professional help.
As part of the project, the foundation is holding a competition in which junior high and high school students can submit written or recorded proposals detailing their "dreams" after registering on the foundation's Web site. Prizes of up to NT$10,000 will be awarded to help make winning dreams come true. The closing date is May 11.
Proceeds of the donation drive will also be used to create a Web page with discussion boards and information about teenage depression. The Web page will also feature a chatroom where young people will be able to talk about their feelings with mental health professionals.
The project's final purpose is to establish a mental health support network in junior high and high schools.
The foundation hopes to send mental health professionals to schools at set periods of time, so that students will have convenient access to psychological counseling.
The John Tung Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to public welfare issues.
More information about the project is available on the Web pages of the foundation (www.jtf.org.tw) and 7-Eleven (www.7-eleven.com.tw), or from the project's information line at 02-2776-6133, extensions 21-24 and 28.
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