Hong Kong mental health support hotline received 30,000 calls for help within three months of launch

China News Service, Hong Kong, April 24 (Xinhua) The mental health of urbanites has attracted much attention in recent years. The Secretary for Medical and Health Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Lo Chung-moo, said on the 24th that the government launched the “Emotional Link” 24-hour mental health support hotline on December 27 last year. On March 21 this year, a total of about 30,000 calls were received, with an average of about 349 calls per day.

Hong Kong China News Agency information picture

Lu Chongmao pointed out that there can be more than one reason for calls, and the more common reasons include mental illness (21%), family relations (14%), physical health problems (13%) and work stress (12%).

“Emotional Link” has referred a total of about 200 cases to the Social Welfare Department’s Mental Health Integrated Community Centre, the Social Welfare Department’s Carer Support Hotline, the Hospital Authority’s Mental Health Hotline and non-governmental organizations for further follow-up, of which two cases are more urgent. Cases need to be immediately referred to the police for follow-up.

Lu Chongmao said that the government will review the operation, consult the Mental Health Advisory Committee in due course, and consider the feasibility of expanding services to other platforms, such as instant messaging software. (over)

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