In a new government initiative, Hong Kong has launched a pilot program to provide free mental health assessments at three district health centers. The "Healthy Mind Pilot Project" aims to identify and refer individuals experiencing mild symptoms of depression or anxiety to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for further evaluation and follow-up support.
According to the Health Bureau, the public can now visit district health centers in Tuen Mun, Yau Tsim Mong, and Eastern for preliminary mental health screenings. Trained staff at these centers will use questionnaires to assess emotional distress, with a focus on identifying signs of depression and anxiety.
Individuals found to need additional assistance will be referred to NGOs such as the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association or Mind HK. Those with mild to moderate conditions will be offered low-intensity therapies, including guided self-help and psychoeducational groups. More comprehensive care will be provided for high-risk cases.
The government hopes this pilot project will position the district health centers as coordinators of primary healthcare services and case managers for mental health support within the community. The goal is to deliver timely and appropriate mental wellness resources closer to where people live.
Dicky Chow Ka-chun, head of health care and social innovation at the Our Hong Kong Foundation, expressed support for the initiative. He believes the free assessments and referral services at the district centers will help people access needed help more easily, easing the burden on specialized mental health providers.
Chow also suggested establishing an interdisciplinary data communication system linking the district centers, NGOs, and community mental wellness facilities. This would streamline the process for patients, reducing the stress of repeatedly explaining their mental health issues.
With this new pilot program, Hong Kong aims to proactively address the rise in depression and anxiety, providing a community-based entry point for timely assessment and support.
免費心理健康檢查服務以應對抑鬱和焦慮
香港政府最新推出了一項試驗計劃,在三個地區健康中心提供免費心理健康評估。這個稱為「健康心靈試驗計劃」的計劃旨在識別和轉介出現輕度抑鬱或焦慮症狀的人士,轉介至非政府組織作進一步評估和跟進支援。
根據衛生署的資訊,市民現可到位於屯門、油尖旺和東區的地區健康中心進行初步心理健康評估。中心的培訓人員會使用問卷評估情緒壓力,尤其是抑鬱和焦慮的徵兆。
需要進一步援助的人士將被轉介至如新生精神康復會或心晴行動等非政府組織。對於出現輕度至中度症狀的個案,他們將獲得低強度的心理治療,包括指導式自助和心理教育小組。高風險個案則會獲得更全面和專業的照顧。
政府希望這個試驗計劃能夠將地區健康中心定位為主要醫療保健服務的協調者和心理健康支援的個案管理者,在社區層面提供及時和適切的心理健康支援。
我們香港基金會健康護理及社會創新主管周家俊表示支持這項計劃。他認為地區中心提供的免費評估和轉介服務,將有助市民更容易獲得所需幫助,減輕專科服務的負擔。
周先生亦建議建立一個跨專業的數據溝通系統,連接地區中心、非政府組織和社區心理健康中心。這將有助減輕病人需要重複解釋心理健康問題的壓力。
通過這項新的試驗計劃,香港旨在主動應對抑鬱和焦慮問題的上升趨勢,為市民提供社區為本的初步評估和支援管道。
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