Stephanie Ng

Background

About Stephanie Ng

Hi, I'm Steph! I am a health communication PhD researcher, author, and founder of two organizations dedicated to transforming how we talk about mental health: Body Banter, a registered Section 88 charity in Hong Kong that empowers youth to spark conversations on body image, and The Lending Language Lab, a consultancy that equips schools, businesses, and nonprofits with evidence-based strategies and powerful storytelling to ensure their mental health initiatives are refreshing, relatable, and realistic.My mission and vision are centered around a quote that a good friend once shared with me: “your mess is your message." Having navigated eating disorder recovery in Hong Kong during my teens, I have firsthand experience of trying and failing to talk about 'taboo' topics. My lived-experience with mental illness and recovery is messy - and is also precisely what gives me an empathetic edge. My work — which has been featured on renowned platforms such as the BBC, Channel News Asia, Deutsche-Welle, NowTV, and across 3 TEDx stages — is born from a simple belief: that good intentions are not enough. With over a decade of lived experience and academic research, I now help others move beyond performative awareness to create genuine, lasting impact. Whether it’s through delivering keynote speeches, facilitating interactive workshops, or providing expert consulting services, I provide the tools to craft mental health communication that actually hits home.