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[ANNOUNCEMENT] Mind HK’s 2024 Policy Recommendations for Hong Kong

09/10/2024
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Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited (Mind HK)

 

2024 Policy Recommendations for Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong

 

Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited (Mind HK), a S88 registered charity (91/16471), is submitting to the Chief Executive’s Policy Address Public Consultation supporting the strategic enhancement of mental health services in Hong Kong. 

 

The prevalence of mental health conditions in Hong Kong is a major public health concern, with recent data showing higher rates than previously estimated. Common mental disorders (CMDs), such as depression and anxiety, account for nearly 70% of all mental illnesses. However, less than 30% of those affected seek support, and few receive evidence-based treatment. This lack of treatment can worsen conditions and increase the risk of severe mental illness. Youth mental health is of significant concern, with one in four experiencing mental health problems, and the suicide rate for 15 – 24-year-olds doubling over the last decade. 

 

Hong Kong’s health system faces significant challenges, such as high costs, long waiting times, and resource allocation issues. A particular concern is the shortage of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists, leading to public system waiting times of up to 99 weeks in some areas. Private sessions are expensive, and many insurance plans do not cover early intervention. As a result, people often skip primary care to seek specialist support, further straining the system and increasing costs.

 

To address these challenges, more trained para-professionals are needed to provide accessible mental health care through NGOs, utilising a stepped care approach. Mind HK’s pilot programme “Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®)”, which trains and places Wellbeing Practitioners, has shown success. The regulated short-term interventions (6-8 sessions) result in high recovery rates from anxiety and depression (over 60%), meeting or exceeding international standards, while also improving quality of life.

 

It’s critical for the government to raise awareness of diverse support options, implement accessible low-intensity treatments at scale, and promote early intervention to create a more efficient and accessible mental health care system.

Mind HK’s recommendations for the 2024 public consultation are three-tiered and are outlined below:

 

Mind HK’s recommendations: 

 

  • Further Develop a Stepped Care Mental Health Model 

 

We recommend further expanding the stepped-care model in our healthcare system. This model efficiently manages mental disorders by providing different levels of care based on the severity of the condition, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate support. Low-intensity care is provided for mild to moderate cases, while specialist care is reserved for severe conditions.

 

Task shifting involves reallocating tasks to trained paraprofessionals, such as Mind HK’s iACT® Wellbeing Practitioners, to deliver effective, short-term, evidence-based assessments and low-intensity psychological interventions. This approach optimises resource use and enhances the system’s efficiency and responsiveness by ensuring a full spectrum of mental health workforce is available to address the entire range of mental illnesses.

 

Training a new cadre of practitioners to provide low-intensity mental health support for mild to moderate depression and anxiety makes care more affordable and widely available. Additionally, offering subsidies for existing mental health professionals to acquire specialised training enables them to deliver high-intensity support for treating severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. This comprehensive approach ensures individuals receive appropriate care at all levels of need, enhancing the overall efficacy and accessibility of mental health services and the development of a stepped-care model.

 

We suggest further integrating paraprofessionals in the community, as demonstrated by the DHC and DHC Express “Healthy Mind Pilot Project” and Mind HK’s iACT® programme which spans NGOs, schools, clinics, and community centres. This recommended multi-sectoral and collaborative approach will ensure affordable, accessible care, offering appropriate support for individuals at all levels of need. It will enhance the overall efficacy and accessibility of mental health services, ultimately supporting the overall wellbeing and health of Hong Kong.

 

  • Establish a Commission on Mental Health

We propose creating a dedicated task force with expert stakeholders and individuals with lived experience to develop a city-wide mental health and wellbeing strategy. This commission will ensure cohesive coordination among government bureaus and facilitate the development of unified mental health strategies. It will oversee efficient budget allocation for comprehensive care and enhance cooperation among healthcare providers, NGOs, educational institutions, and the private sector. The focus will be on promoting awareness, preventing mental illness, and providing robust support for individuals with mental health needs, ensuring mental health becomes a community priority.

 

  • Support Youth Mental Health

With a rising and urgent need to address youth mental health, we recommend supporting the implementation of comprehensive school-based mental health support by offering a spectrum of psychological services, including counselling, low-intensity psychological support, peer programs, awareness programs, and special education needs support. It is essential to establish dedicated mental health environments within schools to create a supportive atmosphere for students and facilitate the early detection of issues. Additionally, investing in specialised training for teachers, youth workers, and community workers is crucial to enable early identification and intervention, thereby reducing the potential severity of mental health issues. Actively involving youth in the design of services is integral in establishing interventions that are engaging and tailored to their unique needs, with their voices playing a central role in shaping the services intended for them.

 

By implementing these recommendations, Hong Kong can build a more accessible, efficient, and responsive mental health care system that meets the needs of all its residents, ensuring mental health becomes a top community priority.

 

For further information, please contact: 

Dr. Candice Powell, CEO, Mind HK: [email protected]

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

[ANNOUNCEMENT] Mind HK’s 2024 Policy Recommendations for Hong Kong

Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited (Mind HK)

 

2024 Policy Recommendations for Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong

 

Mind Mental Health Hong Kong Limited (Mind HK), a S88 registered charity (91/16471), is submitting to the Chief Executive’s Policy Address Public Consultation supporting the strategic enhancement of mental health services in Hong Kong. 

 

The prevalence of mental health conditions in Hong Kong is a major public health concern, with recent data showing higher rates than previously estimated. Common mental disorders (CMDs), such as depression and anxiety, account for nearly 70% of all mental illnesses. However, less than 30% of those affected seek support, and few receive evidence-based treatment. This lack of treatment can worsen conditions and increase the risk of severe mental illness. Youth mental health is of significant concern, with one in four experiencing mental health problems, and the suicide rate for 15 - 24-year-olds doubling over the last decade. 

 

Hong Kong's health system faces significant challenges, such as high costs, long waiting times, and resource allocation issues. A particular concern is the shortage of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists, leading to public system waiting times of up to 99 weeks in some areas. Private sessions are expensive, and many insurance plans do not cover early intervention. As a result, people often skip primary care to seek specialist support, further straining the system and increasing costs.

 

To address these challenges, more trained para-professionals are needed to provide accessible mental health care through NGOs, utilising a stepped care approach. Mind HK’s pilot programme “Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®)”, which trains and places Wellbeing Practitioners, has shown success. The regulated short-term interventions (6-8 sessions) result in high recovery rates from anxiety and depression (over 60%), meeting or exceeding international standards, while also improving quality of life.

 

It's critical for the government to raise awareness of diverse support options, implement accessible low-intensity treatments at scale, and promote early intervention to create a more efficient and accessible mental health care system.

Mind HK’s recommendations for the 2024 public consultation are three-tiered and are outlined below:

 

Mind HK’s recommendations: 

 

  • Further Develop a Stepped Care Mental Health Model 

 

We recommend further expanding the stepped-care model in our healthcare system. This model efficiently manages mental disorders by providing different levels of care based on the severity of the condition, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate support. Low-intensity care is provided for mild to moderate cases, while specialist care is reserved for severe conditions.

 

Task shifting involves reallocating tasks to trained paraprofessionals, such as Mind HK’s iACT® Wellbeing Practitioners, to deliver effective, short-term, evidence-based assessments and low-intensity psychological interventions. This approach optimises resource use and enhances the system's efficiency and responsiveness by ensuring a full spectrum of mental health workforce is available to address the entire range of mental illnesses.

 

Training a new cadre of practitioners to provide low-intensity mental health support for mild to moderate depression and anxiety makes care more affordable and widely available. Additionally, offering subsidies for existing mental health professionals to acquire specialised training enables them to deliver high-intensity support for treating severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. This comprehensive approach ensures individuals receive appropriate care at all levels of need, enhancing the overall efficacy and accessibility of mental health services and the development of a stepped-care model.

 

We suggest further integrating paraprofessionals in the community, as demonstrated by the DHC and DHC Express "Healthy Mind Pilot Project" and Mind HK’s iACT® programme which spans NGOs, schools, clinics, and community centres. This recommended multi-sectoral and collaborative approach will ensure affordable, accessible care, offering appropriate support for individuals at all levels of need. It will enhance the overall efficacy and accessibility of mental health services, ultimately supporting the overall wellbeing and health of Hong Kong.

 

  • Establish a Commission on Mental Health

We propose creating a dedicated task force with expert stakeholders and individuals with lived experience to develop a city-wide mental health and wellbeing strategy. This commission will ensure cohesive coordination among government bureaus and facilitate the development of unified mental health strategies. It will oversee efficient budget allocation for comprehensive care and enhance cooperation among healthcare providers, NGOs, educational institutions, and the private sector. The focus will be on promoting awareness, preventing mental illness, and providing robust support for individuals with mental health needs, ensuring mental health becomes a community priority.

 

  • Support Youth Mental Health

With a rising and urgent need to address youth mental health, we recommend supporting the implementation of comprehensive school-based mental health support by offering a spectrum of psychological services, including counselling, low-intensity psychological support, peer programs, awareness programs, and special education needs support. It is essential to establish dedicated mental health environments within schools to create a supportive atmosphere for students and facilitate the early detection of issues. Additionally, investing in specialised training for teachers, youth workers, and community workers is crucial to enable early identification and intervention, thereby reducing the potential severity of mental health issues. Actively involving youth in the design of services is integral in establishing interventions that are engaging and tailored to their unique needs, with their voices playing a central role in shaping the services intended for them.

 

By implementing these recommendations, Hong Kong can build a more accessible, efficient, and responsive mental health care system that meets the needs of all its residents, ensuring mental health becomes a top community priority.

 

For further information, please contact: 

Dr. Candice Powell, CEO, Mind HK: [email protected]