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Dr. LO Ka Ying, Heidi 羅嘉瑩

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

Clinical Assistant Professor

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 

 

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

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Dr Lo is currently looking for a research assistant to join the mood team- if you are interested, please apply through the job ad. So far, 3 of our team’s alumni have gone on to study master in clinical/educational psychology in Hong Kong. Dr Lo also involved in a few exciting projects for hands-on research opportunities. 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:

Dr. Heidi Lo is the Clinical Assistant Professor of Department of Psychiatry under Faculty of Medicine of University of Hong Kong.

 

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.hku to promote accessible mental health awareness and advocacy.

 

Dr. Lo's research interests include depression, and other mood issues (bipolar affective disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder), neuromodulation techniques, such as transcranial direct stimulation, suicidality and use of digital technology in the field. Her accomplishments include receiving the President’s Prize from the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists in 2021 and the Fellowship Award from the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2024 for her advocacy in suicide prevention. Committed to enhancing psychiatric care, Dr. Lo is exploring the integration of non-pharmacological interventions, with a particular interest in psychosocial approaches, including mindfulness techniques. Dr. Lo welcome collaboration with other disciplinaries to address and decode depression and its relationship with physical diseases, aiming to integrate psychiatric care into holistic health strategies.

Research Interests and Focus:

  • Depression and other mood disorders  

  • Youth Mental Health

  • Neuroimaging and Neuromodulation

  • Suicide Prevention

  • Stigma and Mental Health Promotion  

Research Areas:

Depression and other mood disorders​

  • 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.

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  • Risk of mortality and complications in people with depressive disorder and diabetes mellitus: A 20-year population-based propensity score-matched cohort study. Matthew Tsz Ho Ho, Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Heidi Ka Ying Lo, Catherine Zhiqian Fang, Corine Sau Man Wong, Krystal Chi Kei Lee, Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Amy Pui Pui Ng, Ken Qingqi Chen, William Chi Wai Wong, and Wing Chung Chang, 2025. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 92, 10-18.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.11.011

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  • 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 

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  • 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)

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  • Pre-Existing Chronic Physical Morbidity and Excess Mortality in People with Bipolar Disorder: A Population-Based Cohort Study in 2008–2018.Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Catherine Zhiqian Fang, Heidi Ka Ying Lo, Corine Sau Man Wong, Nicholas Chak Lam Yung, Wing Chung Chang, 2024. European Neuropsychopharmacology. 84, 20-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.03.014.

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  • Mortality Risk and Mood Stabilizers in Bipolar Disorder: A Propensity-Score-Weighted Population-Based Cohort Study in 2002–2018. Joe Kwun Nam Chan, Corine Sau Man Wong, Catherine Zhiqian Fang, Samson Chun Hung, Heidi Ka Ying Lo, Wing Chung Chang, 2024. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. 33, e31-e31. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796024000337.

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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 

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  • 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 

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  • 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

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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

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  • 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

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  • 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 

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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  

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  • ​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

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  • 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.  

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  • ​Effective strategies for buffering against stress and depression: Insights from animal and human models with implications for suicidal prevention. Oral presentation at the Brain & Mental Health Conference 2024, Hong Kong. Lo, H. K. Y. (2024, June).

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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。

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  • 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. 

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

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

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  • 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. 

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

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