Government Launches Free Mental Health Assessments at Community Health Centers for Early Support and Referrals.

Government launches Healthy Mind Pilot Project at three District Health Centre/District Health Centre Expresses

The Government announced today (August 15) the launch of the Healthy Mind Pilot Project at three District Health Centre (DHC)/District Health Centre Expresses (DHCEs) to offer free initial mental health assessments to members of the public on a trial basis at the community level starting today. Members preliminarily assessed to have mild symptoms of depression or anxiety will be referred to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for further assessment and follow-up, so that they can receive appropriate support at an early stage.

The Pilot Project is beingtrialled at Tuen Mun DHC, Yau Tsim Mong DHCE and Eastern DHCE. Trained staff of these DHC/DHCEs will in parallel conduct preliminary mental health questionnaire assessments (including Patient Health Questionnaire - 2 (PHQ-2) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder - 2 (GAD-2)) for members aged 18 or above while conducting health risk assessments for them. The preliminary assessments will help identify the members' risks of emotional distress in relation to depression and anxiety.

Based on the assessment results and in accordance with the protocol, DHC/DHCE staff will refer members with mental health needs to partnering NGOs of the Pilot Project in the same district, namely the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association or Mind HK, for their professional personnel with mental health training (Wellbeing Practitioners) to follow up. The Wellbeing Practitioners will conduct emotional assessments for the cases and offer evidence-based low-intensity psychological therapy to those with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression through guided self-help treatment and psychoeducational groups, with a view to enhancing their capacity in managing their psychological health. For the high-risk cases identified, they will be referred to the Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness or multidisciplinary support services in the community for more comprehensive and professional care and support.

At present, DHCs/DHCEs have already covered basic assessments of emotional distress in its health risk assessments, while providing mental health services at the primary healthcare level, such as sleep health and training on mental relaxation. Furthermore, various DHCs/DHCEs collaborate with different service partners in the districts to refer members to the latter for getting support services to tackle emotional distress. Among these, Wong Tai Sin DHC, Southern DHC and Sai Kung DHCE are partnering with the JC JoyAge Project, in which members with mental health needs will be taken care of and supported by the dedicated teams under that project.

In his Policy Address last year, the Chief Executive put forward the initiative of launching a pilot scheme at three DHCs, in collaboration with community organisations, to provide mental health assessments for the public, thereby assisting individuals with mental health needs through early follow-up and referral of high-risk cases.

The Government aspires to leverage the roles of DHCs as co-ordinators of primary healthcare services and case managers to run the Pilot Project on a trial basis. By enhancing the emotional issues-related components of DHCs' health risk assessments, the Pilot Project aims to provide timely and appropriate mental health support services at the community level, such that individuals suffering from mild to moderate symptoms of depression or anxiety can receive evidence-based low-intensity psychological therapy.

Under the Pilot Project, the assessment as well as subsequent counselling and therapy services are all free of charge. Members of the public may visit the DHC website for more details on the Pilot Project (www.dhc.gov.hk/en/mental_health) and the service hours of the three DHC/DHCEs.

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CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 18) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

"The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

"Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

The public should adopt the following precautions:

Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;

Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;

Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;

For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;

Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and

Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

​The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):

Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;

Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;

Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;

Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and

While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

​If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

​The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111),heat strokepage andUV radiationpage; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.