Hongkongers struggling with mental health issues can call new government hotline for 24-hour help
- Hotline, accessible at 18111, will operate 24 hours a day and coordinate services across NGOs and government organisations
- Initiative is part of authorities’ bid to tackle mental health issues which have been in spotlight in recent years
Hongkongers struggling with mental health issues can call a government-backed support hotline for around-the-clock counselling starting on Wednesday.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the hotline provided “real-time” and “person-to-person” services, and he encouraged residents with mental health needs to call it on 18111.
“This is the first time the government has fully funded a support hotline which coordinates the services from over 20 government and non-government organisations,” he said, adding that immediate referrals would be given to users for more specific services and follow-up.
The “18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline” will be available 24 hours a day.
“We have at least six staff on the line at any time. If there is any surge in demand at any particular time, there will be on-call service for that,” he said. “We want to ensure that we can cope with the service demand in case there is a need.”
He added that if no one answered, the computer system would ensure staff called back within 30 minutes.
The hotline was mentioned in last year’s policy address among initiatives to tackle mental health issues.
Authorities also proposed it in June among 10 measures after two women were stabbed to death at a shopping centre allegedly by a man who was said to have mental health issues.