Your editorial of March 9 on mental care in the community was a timely reminder of the critical importance of public support and acceptance in the rehabilitation of discharged mental patients. The Government shares your concern and remains fully committed to promoting community acceptance of this group by encouraging positive public attitudes.
In recent years, the Government has embarked on an intensive round of public education programmes. In particular, a territory-wide campaign 'The Mental Health Month', is held annually.
This seeks to promote a better understanding of mental health and the needs of persons with mental illness or disability.
These efforts have proved successful and today, our society is more understanding although there is clearly room for further improvement in attitudes. To this end, the Government with the active support of many non-governmental welfare agencies, will continue with the public education programme and encourage and facilitate the integration of the ex-mentally ill back into our community.
You rightly pointed out that patients with a history of violence resulting from their illness should only be returned to a normal environment when adequate support can be guaranteed. Patients are not considered for discharge unless they are mentally stable; have no violent symptoms which may cause harm to themselves or other people; and are able to support and look after themselves or have appropriate support from their family or the community. Mental illness is usually chronic in nature and it is often necessary for patients to have continuous care and support after their discharge from hospital.
Your readers might be interested to know that apart from the Hospital Authority's out-patient psychiatric clinic service, day hospital service, and outreach service provided by community psychiatric nursing teams and community psychiatric teams, various social rehabilitation services are also provided through the Social Welfare Department and subvented non-governmental organisations. All of these services are designed to assist discharged mental patients reintegrate into the community.
