Whenever the announcement of HKDSE exam results approaches, many students feel anxious about their performance. After receiving their results, they may experience even greater pressure if the scores do not match their own or their family’s expectations. Everyone reacts differently to stress and anxiety, and when emotions become overwhelming, you will be affected physically, emotionally, cognitively, or behaviorally. It’s crucial to pay attention to these signs, especially if they intensify, as professional assistance may be needed. Many professionals in social welfare organisations are willing to listen, provide emotional support, and also offer relevant information on further studies.Among all, the Shall We Talk initiative, which is jointly organised by the Advisory Committee on Mental Health and the Department of Health, delivers a series of information for students including mental well-being, common sources of stress and coping strategies for DSE-related pressure. Their website also introduces the 24-hour emotional support hotline, 18111, which is staffed by professionals. In addition, they provide a list of organisations offering emergency assistance.Besides, the Education Bureau has also collated the counselling services organisations into a “Community Resources and Helplines” list, in which counselling services that are suitable for HKDSE candidates are selected below. The counselling services are offered through various channels, allowing students to connect with the appropriate institutions based on their needs.1. Jockey Club Online Youth Emotional Support - Open Up (Chinese & English)Website: https://www.openup.hk/index.htm?lang=enFacebook / InstagramWhatsApp/ SMS: 9101 2012[Service Hours: 24-hour online counselling service]2. The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong - “Chatpoint” (Chinese & English)Website: https://chatpoint.org.hk/#/home[Service Hours:Monday to Friday (4 pm to 1 am next day)Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays (8 pm to 1 am next day)]3. Caritas Hong Kong - Caritas Infinity Teens (Cantonese, Putonghua, English)Website : http://it.caritas.org.hk/  (Chinese only)Phone Number: 2117 0321WhatsApp/ Signal: 9377 3666Email: [email protected][Service Hours:Monday and Tuesday (10 am to 6 pm);Wednesday and Thursday (2 pm to 10 pm);Friday and Saturday (6 pm to 2 am next day);Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays]The above information is for reference only. Updated information will be subjected to the announcement of individual organisations. If information from other organisations is needed, please contact the school social workers, counsellors, etc.Sources:Education Bureau - Life Planning Information WebsiteThe Shall We Talk initiativeJockey Club Online Youth Emotional Support - Open UpThe Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong Caritas Hong Kong - Caritas Infinity Teens (Chinese version only)

After completing the HKDSE, do you wish to pursue further studies but hesitate due to financial constraints? Here are some student financial assistance schemes, which would possibly meet your needs -Local Education SubsidiesFor students pursuing higher education locally, the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency offers various subsidy schemes. You can also use the "SFO E-link" calculator tool to estimate the possible subsidy amounts under different schemes.1. Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) - provides means-tested financial assistance in the form of grant and/or loan to eligible full-time students taking up an exclusively publicly-funded student place of a recognised post-secondary programme.2. Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Full-time Tertiary Students (NLSFT) - complements the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) to provide loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of recognised full-time study courses.3. Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) - provides means-tested financial assistance in form of grant and/or loan to eligible full-time students pursuing locally-accredited, self-financing post-secondary education programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or bachelor’s degree.4. Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) - complements the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) to provide loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of locally-accredited, self-financing full-time programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or degree.5. Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS) - provides loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of specific post-secondary/continuing and professional education courses studied in Hong Kong.6. Student Travel Subsidy (STS) for Tertiary or Post-secondary Students - provides travel subsidy to eligible students (residing more than 10 minutes’ walking distance away from their schools; and who need to travel to school by public transport) attending a full-time day course up to first degree level in an acceptable institution. Local Continuing Education SubsidiesThe Government provides different subsidy schemes to help young people pursue lifelong learning -1. Continuing Education Fund (CEF) - subsidises adults aged 18 or above to pursue continuing education and training. Eligible applicants may submit unlimited number of claims for reimbursement of fees up to a maximum sum of HK$25,000 within one year upon successful completion of CEF reimbursable courses.2. Financial Assistance Scheme for Designated Evening Adult Education Courses (FAEAEC) - provides eligible students with financial assistance in the form of tuition fee reimbursement. Students who fulfill the prescribed criteria can obtain 30%, 50% or 100% reimbursement of the tuition fees paid after the end of each school term.3. Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) / Diploma Yi Jin (DYJ) Tuition Fee Reimbursement - provides students with financial assistance in the form of tuition fee reimbursement. Students who fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria can obtain 30%, 50% or 100% reimbursement of the actual tuition fees paid after the end of each school year.Subsidies for Studying in the MainlandFor students wishing to study in the Mainland, the Education Bureau's "Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS)" might help. This Scheme aims to support Hong Kong students in pursuing undergraduate studies on the Mainland and ensure that no students will be deprived of post-secondary education opportunity due to a lack of means.  MUSSS comprises two components: “means-tested subsidy” and “non-means-tested subsidy”, while eligible applicants can only receive either one subsidy in the same academic year. The subsidy is granted on a yearly basis, and the subsidised period is the normal duration of the undergraduate programme pursued by the student concerned in a designated Mainland institution. MUSSS is not subject to any quota.Additionally, Mainland universities offer scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers. You might check with individual universities.Scholarships & GrantsYou can also use the Scholarship & Grants Search Tool to explore scholarships and grants available for studying in Hong Kong, the Mainland, or overseas. Source:Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency - Student FinanceEducation Bureau - Scholarship & Grants Search Tool