| Supporting Your Teen Through the Big Move: A Guide for Hong Kong Parents Sending your child to study abroad whether they’re heading off to boarding school or starting university is an exciting and emotional time for the whole family. It’s a moment of great pride, but also a period of change and uncertainty. With the right preparation and mindset, the transition can be smoother for both parents and children. Here are eight simple yet powerful ways to support your teen during this important life step. For Children Starting Boarding School: Talk openly about emotions Boarding school brings with it a mix of excitement and nerves especially for younger students. Let your child know that feeling homesick or unsure at first is completely normal. Encourage open conversations, but don’t push them to share before they’re ready. Creating a safe, supportive space for emotions can make all the difference. Practice independence at home Help your child prepare for life away from home by developing their independence in small, manageable ways. Let them take charge of organizing their belongings, managing simple routines, or even doing laundry with supervision. These small steps can build big confidence before term begins. Familiarise them with the new setting If you can, visit the school in advance to make the environment more familiar. If not, explore the school’s website together, look through pictures and videos, and talk about daily life there. When students know what to expect, the unknown feels far less intimidating.Keep goodbyes low-pressure It’s natural to feel emotional on departure day, but keeping your goodbye calm and confident will help your child feel secure. Let them know you trust them and believe in their ability to thrive. A quiet, positive send-off often works better than a long, emotional farewell. For Teens Starting University: Give them a return date to hold on to Even without booking a ticket, having a plan for when they’ll come home next gives students something steady to look forward to. It helps to know that home is still there—unchanged and waiting, giving them the reassurance to fully engage in their new life. Maintain familiar routines When everything else feels new, having a few familiar routines can offer structure and comfort. Encourage your teen to maintain habits they already enjoy whether that’s a workout schedule, a journaling practice, or a morning routine. These small consistencies help keep them anchored. Acknowledge the change Especially if your family is also going through changes like relocating or downsizing—it’s important to help your teen mark the transition. This is them moving into the next stage of life! Suggest they create a checklist of favourite Hong Kong experiences to enjoy before they leave. Saying goodbye well helps them start fresh with confidence. Stay connected, but not too connected University students crave independence but still benefit from gentle parental scaffolding. Talk about how often to check in, and balance serious chats with lighter ones about pets, family, or everyday life. Keep the connection going without crowding their space. How Central Health Can Support Your Family Our team at Central Health London and Hong Kong provides a continuity of care that spans the globe, sharing the same standards of clinical excellence and family values. Experienced psychologists and counsellors are available to support families through the transition from secondary school to university. Parents can schedule sessions with clinicians to discuss their concerns and goals for their children. Teenagers can build a personal relationship with a trusted adult who can help guide them through the transition from living at home to moving to school or college accommodation with confidence. On arrival in the UK, we can provide with exceptional medical care including any required vaccinations or health checks. We can also offer psych-educational assessments for ADHD and ASD, to allow for educational accommodations to be made if needed. Written by: Dr Hannah Reidy, Emma Rhoda, Dr Melissa Giglio The brochure below has more information on how Central Health supports International Students. Alternatively, you can email: info@centralhealthlondon.com for information on packages, assessments and other appointments |
| With the opening of Central Health London in Marylebone together with our Child Development Team in Hong Kong, we are pleased to present a coordinated private student support service for parents and their children transitioning to school or university in the UK. Our Paediatricians, General Practitioners and Psychological Therapists at Central Health Hong Kong and Central Health London have decades of experience between them supporting teens and young adults transitioning to school and university As many Hong Kong and expatriate families prepare to send children overseas for school or university this September, we know how exciting—but also daunting—this transition can be. That’s why Central Health London and Central Health in Hong Kong, is offering comprehensive student healthcare services designed to support teens and young adults ( and their parents ) as they settle into life and learning in the UK. Central Health London is built on the same model that has supported generations of families at Central Health Hong Kong, our team in London provides the same compassionate, high-quality care for your children while they’re away from home. |
| Our Student Support Services include: 1. Student Health Check and vaccine review. A general health check and review of vaccines by one of our General Practitioners or paediatricians either in Hong Kong or London. With permission we can share records between London and Hong Kong, update vaccine records and provide any medical reports needed by schools or universities. 2. Proactive Mental Health SupportA package of sessions with our HK or UK-based mental health team designed to help students prepare emotionally for the transition and cope during their first term.Includes:• 1–2 in person pre-departure sessions with Central Health Hong Kong (or online with Central Health London) to explore expectations and mental wellbeing.• 4–5 sessions in the UK (Or online with Central Health London) during the first school year or the first university term, offering support as students adapt to independent living and academic demands.This package also enables quick access to additional care if needed. 3. Responsive Mental Health CareFor students who find themselves struggling once term begins, we offer direct access to psychiatry and extra therapeutic support. 4. ADHD Screening School & University AccommodationsWe offer full ADHD assessments for students aged 18+, with written reports to support requests for academic accommodations. This service follows our trusted Central Health protocol and in line with UK best practice |
| Our Team Central Health’s International Student Support Service is led by Dr Hannah Reidy.Hannah is our Psychological Therapies Lead in London, after working within and leading the Psychology team in Hong Kong for 7 years. A Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Hannah brings exceptional insight into both the emotional needs of adolescents and the demands of the UK boarding and university systems. She has extensive experience working with this client group clinically, as well as many years living within the boarding and international school community in both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Central Health Hong Kong • Dr Melissa Ortega, Clinical Psychologist, specialist in child and adolescent mental health, including ADHD, autistic spectrum disorder anxiety and depression. • Dr Katie Farndale, Clinical Psychologist, experienced in supporting parents and children adjusting to boarding school life. • Dr Michelle Tam, Consultant Psychiatrist, supports mental health and educational transitions with a collaborative, family-centred approach. • Dr Alan Cheng, Consultant Psychiatrist, combines medical and psychological care along with his extensive experience with children and adolescents • Dr Dede Chan, General Practitioner, provides inclusive, culturally sensitive care, with personal insight into relocation. Central Health London • Dr Hannah Reidy, Clinical Psychologist, expert in adolescent mental health, UK boarding and university systems, and international school transitions. • Emma Rhoda, Counsellor, years of experience supporting students transferring to British and international schools and universities. • Dr Gracemary Leung, Clinical Psychologist who has worked within university populations and has a special interest in addictive behaviours. • Dr Benjamin Davis, General Practitioner, expertise in family medicine, travel health and relationship therapy. • Dr Naila Aslam, General Practitioner, focuses on holistic, lifestyle-based care for international students and families. • Dr Shiri Lejay, Consultant Paediatrician, skilled in managing physical and mental health including eating disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions. • Dr Harriet Stewart, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, extensive experience supporting neurodiverse international students. |
