6% of 11,000 Hongkongers tested in free mental health screenings need help

A free mental health screening offered by the Hong Kong government has found that 6 per cent out of more than 11,000 people tested in the past four months needed referrals for further psychological testing or care.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said in a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday that the screening drive focused on those with no apparent signs of mental health issues.

“We never encourage those [already] with mental health symptoms to do the screening … they should instead see a doctor,” he said.

“People often visit district health centres for physical check-ups [but] by adding this mental health screening there, we could find out who did not know they had such needs and provide relevant support.”

Under a pilot scheme rolled out last August, three district health centres in Tuen Mun, Eastern district and Yau Tsim Mong started providing mental health screenings to adult residents using questionnaires.

Those found to be suffering from mild to moderate depression or anxiety would then be referred to NGOs for further assessment and low-intensity psychological therapy by trained mental health practitioners without charge.

By December last year, the three centres had screened more than 11,000 residents, of which 6 per cent, or 700 people, were referred to well-being practitioners, Lo said.