Bringing Mental Health Conversations to Troop 1 Hong Kong

This month, I had the privilege of presenting Wilderness for Wellness online to Troop 1 Hong Kong — the same troop where my Scouting journey first began. About thirty Scouts joined the session, where we explored how the core principles of Scouting—resilience, preparedness, and teamwork—can also strengthen mental well-being.

The presentation was based on A Boy Scouts Mental Health Manual, a guide I developed to help Scouts understand stress, emotional health, and the value of reflection. The manual, created with insights from Dr. William C. Torrey of Dartmouth, will soon be available on the BSA Hong Kong website as a free resource for Scouts and leaders.

During the session, we discussed how small actions—checking in on a friend, taking a mindful walk, or creating time for rest—can make a big difference. Just as Scouting teaches physical first aid, it can also teach us to recognize and respond to emotional challenges with the same care.

Even through a screen, the Scouts’ engagement and openness were inspiring. Many shared how hiking, camping, and teamwork already serve as natural ways to manage stress. Seeing that awareness grow reminded me why I started Wilderness for Wellness in the first place—to make mental health a normal part of what it means to “Be Prepared.”

It was meaningful to reconnect with Troop 1 and bring this initiative full circle, showing that even from across the world, the Scout spirit of care, courage, and connection remains strong.