 |
| Prof Lau (center) leads launch of the mental health support hotline |
Two projects meant to provide mental health support to people in Hong Kong were announced by the government today, Dec. 27.
The first is the Mental Health Support Hotline that
operates 24 hours a day, all-year round, and provides immediate counselling services
to members of the public from all backgrounds and of all ages. It started
operating today.
The second is the setting up of a service centre for
members of the ethnic minorities who need emotional support and counselling
services. The service centre located in Jordan will be
operated on a trial basis starting tomorrow, Dec. 28.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
A multi-professional team comprising social workers,
counsellors and support staff conversant in ethnic minority languages will
support the service centre, which could also refer cases to other service
platforms for additional support and/or treatment if needed.
Operated by the Zubin Mahtani Gidumal Foundation
Limited, the service centre opens from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday but can
provide counselling services beyond these hours when necessary.
 |
| DETALYE |
Members of the public can call the centre hotline at
9682 3100 for information, or visit the website www.zubinfoundation.org/our-work/ethnic-minority-well-being-centre/
to learn more about the service centre.
Separately, the government today launched the "18111
- Mental Health Support Hotline" to provide one-stop, round-the-clock
support for people with mental health needs, rendering them immediate mental
health support and referral services.
At the kick-off ceremony, Secretary for Health, Professor
Lo Chung-mau, said the round-the-clock mental health service provided for free
by the government aims to render timely support to people who are in mental
distress or with mental health needs.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
It aims to coordinate existing counselling services
provided by the Government and about 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
to assure speedy, and comprehensive mental support services to those who are in
need.
The MHS hotline is manned by dedicated personnel
answering the phone 24 hours a day, providing immediate support and counselling
services to residents from all backgrounds and of all ages. Callers will also
be referred to the most appropriate organisations depending on the nature of
individual cases.
 |
| Pindutin para sa detalye |
Professor Lo urged all those with mental health needs to immediately call 18111 and use the service to get immediate help. Family members or friends of those with mental health issues are also asked to encourage the afflicted to get support through the hotline.
"The Government has picked this easy-to-recall hotline number with special thoughts. Simply remember that the '18111 - Mental Health Support Hotline' attends to mental health needs
.jpg)
