As a freshman, you might find it hard to embrace the changes, and even feel lost as you begin your university journey. The Wellness and Counselling Centre (WACC) of the Office of Student Affairs offers a range of mental health support to assist new students to overcome difficulties in adjusting to university life, to promote mental wellness, and to achieve personal growth.
Initial Assessment Booking Service
WACC is run by a professional team of counsellors with training background in clinical psychology, social work and/or counselling. The Centre offers professional psychological and counselling services to students. To provide timely assistance and facilitate new users’ service enrollment, an online Initial Assessment Booking Service has been launched. All registered full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are new to the WACC counselling service are welcome to use it.
Mental Health Screening for New Students
At the beginning of each academic year, WACC launches a mental health screening for new students. It is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL! You will receive immediate personalized feedback and strategies to enhance your mental wellness and to cope with symptoms of depression or anxiety with more confidence. We sincerely invite you to take 5 minutes to complete our Mental Health Screening and gain insights into your wellbeing.
Multicultural Psychological Support Service for Non-Local Students
As an international institution, CUHK recognizes that new students may come from diverse cultural backgrounds and have varying needs when it comes to psychological counselling services. To strengthen counselling support to non-local students, WACC provides Multicultural Psychological Support Service to full-time non-local students, including exchange students. Local students with extensive exposure to cultural experiences outside Hong Kong are also eligible. Qualified students are entitled to up to 6 counselling sessions. Follow-up services will be determined based on your individual circumstances.
CUHK 24-hour Emotional Support Hotline
Besides face-to-face counselling services available during office hours, WACC also operates the CUHK 24-hour Emotional Support Hotline (5400 2055) to support you 24/7—anytime, anywhere. This hotline serves to provide emotional support to CUHK full-time students and part-time PGDE students. The service is provided by professional counsellors of the Christian Family Service Centre.
WACC x JC TourHeart+
In partnership with the Jockey Club TourHeart+ Project, WACC has launched an integrated mental support system for all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students at CUHK. It combines an online self-help mental support platform with in-person counselling services, offering tailored support levels based on the mental health needs and challenges faced by students in their academic and personal lives. Freshmen who register as members of WACC x TourHeart+ Project can unlock a “College Life Starter Pack” and freely browse all content on the platform.
SEN Service
The SEN Service (SENS) of the Office of Student Affairs is responsible for coordinating an array of support services for full-time undergraduates and postgraduates with special educational needs (SEN). Eligible new students with SEN are highly encouraged to self-report their SEN to the university through registration with SENS. Students with SEN who need special examination arrangements for centralized course examinations (i.e. final exams) in Term 1, 2025-26, are required to register with the SEN Service on or before 8 October 2025 (Wed).
