top of page
heidi_CVphoto.jpg

Prof. LO Ka Ying, Heidi 羅嘉瑩

MBChB (CUHK), MRCPsych, FHKCPsych, FHKAM (Psychiatry)

Clinical Assistant Professor

Distinguished Young Fellow, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine

Member, Young Fellow Committee, The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists

Member, Public Awareness Committee, The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists

Member, Research Committee, The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists

Mental Health Youth Ambassador, The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists 

Panel Consultant Member, The University Health Service

Wellness Director, Teaching and Engagement, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong 

Academic Advisor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong

Special Interest Group of Mindfulness, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong

Facilitator, Mindful U

Editorial Board Member, East Asian Archives of Psychiatry 

 

Research Publications

🔗Research Gate Profile

🔗Google Scholar Profile
Email: lokaying@hku.hk

ORCID: 0000-0003-2551-5230

The HKU Scholars Hub Page address: https://hub.hku.hk/cris/rp/rp03086

​Dr Lo is currently looking for a research assistant to join the mood team- if you are interested, please apply through the job ad. Dr Lo leads several ongoing projects for hands-on research opportunities. To date, three alumni from the team have gone on to study master in clinical/educational psychology in Hong Kong. If you are passionate about mental health research and consider applying as a volunteer research assistant/ pursue MPhil studies, you are welcome to reach out Dr Heidi Lo in email with CV and sample of research work.

Biography:

Before her current appointment in 2023, she received Fellowship from the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists in 2021. Dr. Lo directs a youth mental health clinic that addresses mood disturbances and complex sociocultural challenges in persons aged 18-25, focusing on their unique developmental and transition-related needs. As Director of Wellness within the faculty, Dr. Lo is dedicated to enhancing the mental well-being of university students and leads public initiatives like @deer.emo to promote accessible mental health awareness and advocacy.
 
Dr Heidi Lo is psychiatry specialist and a researcher and a teacher in the Faculty of Medicine, her research interest is in clinical psychiatry and advancing treatment, especially in depression and other mood issues. She used experience sampling methodology, digital interventions and neuromodulation techniques. Her accomplishments include receiving the President’s Prize from the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists in 2021 , the Fellowship Award from the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2024 for her advocacy in suicide prevention., and was elected Distinguished Young Fellow in the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in 2025. She has special interest in mindfulness and youth mental health. She also leads initiatives on mental health literacy and research translation, working to bring evidence-based knowledge to the public and hopes to cut through the noise of today’s content-saturated metaverse.

Research Interests and Focus:

  • Depression and other mood disorders  

  • Youth Mental Health

  • Neuroimaging and Neuromodulation

  • Suicide Prevention

  • Stigma and Mental Health Promotion  

Research Areas (Selected Publications):

Depression and other mood disorders​

  • Differential effects of mindfulness and grit on positive mental health outcomes in major depressive and bipolar disorders: A moderation analysis using an ecological momentary assessment approach. Jin JXH, Lo HKY*, Tsui IWT, Ng TK, Chung KF, Yuen SY, Ho FYY, Wong CSM, Lee CT, Poon CY, Teopiz KM, Dri C, McIntyre RS. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2025; Article 391:119969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.119969 (*Corresponding)

​​

  • Bidirectional associations among positive affect, anhedonia and meaning in life during major depressive episode: ecological momentary assessment study in unipolar and bipolar individuals and healthy controls Lo HKY *, McIntyre RS, Tsui IWT, et al.. BJPsych Open. 2025;11(4):e141. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.10067

​​

  • Excess mortality and life-years lost in people diagnosed with depression: A 20-Year population-based cohort study of 126,573 depressed individuals followed for 1,139,073 persons-years. Heidi Ka Ying Lo*, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Corine Sau Man Wong, Ka Fai Chung, Christoph U Correll, Marco Solmi, Lawrence W Baum, Thuan Quoc Thach, Pak Chung Sham, and Wing Chung Chang, 2025. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 91, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.10.009.

​​

  • COVID-19 perseverative cognition and depressive symptoms in Hong Kong: The moderating role of resilience, loneliness and coping strategies. Heidi Ka Ying Lo*, Gabbie Hou Sem Wong, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Corine Sau Man Wong, Janet Hiu Ching Lei, Yuen Kiu So, Vivian Shi Cheng Fung, Ryan Sai Ting Chu, Albert Kar Kin Chung, Krystal Chi Kei Lee, Calvin Pak Wing Cheng, Wai Chi Chan, Wing Chung Chang, 2023. Journal of Affective Disorders. 337, 86-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.058. 

​

  • Temporal trends of antidepressant utilisation patterns in children and adolescents in Hong Kong: a 14-year population-based study with joinpoint regression analysis. Heidi Ka Ying Lo* , Co Co Ho Yi Tong, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Candice Tze Kwan Kam, Corine Sau Man Wong, Calvin Pak Wing Cheng, Chung Ho, Brian Man Ho Leung, Wilfred Shone Horn Wong, Zoe Hoi Shuen Yu, Wing Chung Chang , 2023.  Journal of Affective Disorders. 344, 61-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.055 

​​

  • Self-help interventions for the prevention of relapse in mood disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Heidi Ka Ying Lo*, Fiona Yan Yee Ho, Jerry Wing Fai Yeung, Stephy Tim Wai Ng, Eva Yuen Ting Wong, Ka Fai Chung, 2024. Family Practice. cmae036. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmae036. (Online ahead of print)

​​

  • Risk of thyroid function and chronic kidney disease associated with lithium for bipolar disorder. Joe Kwun Nam Chan*, Marco Solmi, Christoph U Correll, Corine Sau Man Wong, Heidi Ka Ying Lo, Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Wing Chung Chang,  2025. JAMA Network Open. 8(2):e2458608.  DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58608 

​​

  • The Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Depression With Mixed Features: A Systematic Review. Xiao N, Yin L, Lee S, Teopiz KM, Wong S, Le GH, Badulescu S, Lo HKY, Vinberg M, Cao B, Grande I, Rosenblat JD, McIntyre RS. Bipolar Disorders. 2025; 27. https://doi.org/10.1111/bdi.70049

​​

  • All-cause and cause-specific mortality in people with depression: a large-scale systematic review and meta-analysis of relative risk and aggravating or attenuating factors.Joe Chan KN, M Solmi, Christoph U Correll, Heidi KY Lo, WY Chan, LT Choo, Eric TH Lai, Corine SM Wong, WC Chang.World Psychiatry, 2025: 24(3), 404-421. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21354  
     

​​

Youth Mental Health 

  • Temporal trends of antidepressant utilisation patterns in children and adolescents in Hong Kong: a 14-year population-based study with joinpoint regression analysis. Heidi Ka Ying Lo* , Co Co Ho Yi Tong, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Candice Tze Kwan Kam, Corine Sau Man Wong, Calvin Pak Wing Cheng, Chung Ho, Brian Man Ho Leung, Wilfred Shone Horn Wong, Zoe Hoi Shuen Yu, Wing Chung Chang , 2023.  Journal of Affective Disorders. 344, 61-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.055 

​​

  • The Relationship Between Parenting Style, Child Behaviour and Socioeconomic Status: A Mediation Analysis. Fong, T.K.H., Lo, H.K.Y., Cheng, C.P.W., Tong, H.S., Lui, W.Y.V., & Chan, P.K.L. , 2025z International Journal of Nursing and Health Care Research, 8, 1639. www.doi.org/10.29011/2688-9501.101639 

​

  • Temporal trends of the utilization patterns of sedative-hypnotic medications in children, adolescents and young adults: a 21-year population-based study with joinpoint regression analysis. Carltin Chun Ting Kwok*, Heidi Ka Ying Lo*, Ching Yui Chan*, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Corine Sau Man Wong, Calvin Pak Wing Cheng, Chung Ho, Brian Man Ho Leung, Wilfred Shone Horn Wong, Zoe Hoi Shuen Yu, Edwin Ho Ming Lee & Wing Chung Chang, 2025. BMC Psychiatry. 25, 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06515-x

​

  • The Effectiveness of a New Parent Education Intervention Program for Primary School-Age Children and Parents in Hong Kong. Lo HKY*, Fong TKH, Chan PKL Cheng CPW* , Lui WYL, Wong YP, , 2025.  PLOS ONE. 20 (9) : e0331308 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331308 

​

Neuroimaging and neuromodulation

  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the Treatment of Youth Depression: Integrating Literature Review Insights in a Pilot Clinical Trial. Heidi Ka-Ying Lo*, Suet Ying Yuen, Wai Tung Tsui, Wing Fai Yeung,  Jia Yin Ruan, Corine Sau Man Wong,  Joyce Xu Hao Jin, Chit Tat Lee, Ka Fai Chung. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025; 14(9): 3152. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14093152

​​

  • Enhanced Cognition and Modulation of Brain Connectivity in Mild Neurocognitive Disorder: The Promise of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation. Lo, Heidi Ka-Ying, Tommy Kwan-Hin Fong, Teris Cheung, Sze-Ting Joanna Ngan, Wai-Yan Vivian Lui, Wai-Chi Chan, Corine Sau-Man Wong, Teenie Kwan-Tung Wong, and Calvin Pak-Wing Cheng. 2024.  Biomedicines 12, no. 9: 2081. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12092081

​

  • Concurrent anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with cognitive training to improve cognition in schizophrenia. Ka Ying Heidi Lo*, Helene Janine Hopman*, Sheung Chun Chan, Wai Ho Steven Chau, Pak Wing Calvin Cheng, Kam Yee Cheung, Hiu Ha Debby Lam, Yi Man Mo, Lai Chu Tse, Wing Ho Oscar Wong, Yip Chau Wong, Sau Man Sandra Chan, 2022. Schizophrenia Research. 241, 184-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2022.01.026 

​

​

Suicide Prevention

  • Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation in the general public during the fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. Heidi Ka Ying Lo*, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Corine Sau Man Wong, Gabbie Hou Sem Wong, Janet Hiu Ching Lei, Yuen Kiu So, Vivian Shi Cheng Fung, Ryan Sai Ting Chu, Rachel Ling, Albert Kar Kin Chung, Krystal Chi Kei Lee, Calvin Pak Wing Cheng, Wai Chi Chan, Wing Chung Chang , 2024. Frontiers Psychiatry. 14:1252600.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1252600  

 

  • The  prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation in Chinese psychiatric patients during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Heidi Ka Ying Lo*, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Esther Wing Chi Yip, Eileena Mo Ching Chui, Vivian Shi Cheng Fung, Corine Sau Man Wong, Ryan Sai Ting Chu, Yuen Kiu So, Jacob Man Tik Chan, Albert Kar Kin Chung, Krystal Chi Kei Lee, Calvin Pak Wing Cheng, Chi Wing Law, Wai Chi Chan, Wing Chung Chang , 2023. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 77, 4-11.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.08.485  

​

  • ​Association between loneliness and suicidality among general populations and persons with depressive and bipolar disorders: A systematic review. Andy Lu, Allyssa Chan,Trisha Menon,Gia Han Le, Sabrina Wong ,Roger Ho, Heidi Ka Ying Lo*, Taeho Greg Rhee, Poh Khuen Lim, Hernan F. Guillen-Burgos, Roger S. McIntyre, 2025. Journal of Affective Disorders. 380, 777-801.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.150

​

  • The efficacy of lithium in the treatment of suicidal ideation, behavior and suicide: An updated systematic review of method analysis of randomized controlled trials. Wang, J. X., Le, G. H., Wong, S., Teopiz, K. M., Kwan, A. T. H., Rosenblat, J. D., Rhee, T. G., Ho, R., Lo, H. K. Y., Goldberg, J. F., Vinberg, M., Grande, I., Mansur, R., Meyer, J. M., & McIntyre, R. S. (2025). Journal of Affective Disorders, 119487-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.119487

​​

 

  • Recipient of the Fellowship Award for the 120th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology (JSPN) for the field of suicide prevention, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive approaches and evidence-based interventions.  

​

​

Stigma and Mental Health Promotion  

  • 「Deer Emo」讓我們跟情緒說聲:親愛的，我知你在。情緒，來得自然。在大自然，小動物發展出不同習性應對不同挑戰。讓我們向小動物學習，好在情緒森林中悠然自得- 此活動獲大學教育資助委員會撥款的港大知識交流基金資助。

​​

​​

​​​

​

​

​

​​

  • Mental Health Youth Ambassador, Hong Kong College of Psychiatrist. Serves as a liaison, educating students on developmental mental health and advocating for mental health promotion initiatives. 

​​

  • Mindshift Educational Networking Programme's student workshop 2023 and 2024.

​​

​​

  • 約好運動 (Walk and Talk) 2023. Helped in community outreach campaign for awareness raising activities. 

​​

  • Expert Panel for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Depression in Bau Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education for module design and delivery. Contributes expertise in curriculum planning to promote collaborative learning models. 

​​

  • Lecturer for Master of Psychological Medicine, Descriptive Psychopathology PSY6002, Lecture Topic : Affective and Anxiety Symptoms.

For a complete list of publications, please visit 🔗Research Gate Profile

bottom of page