2017 Mental Health Month promotes individual mental health (with photos)
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The theme of 2017 Mental Health Month is "Healthy living, healthy mind!". A wide range of educational activities have been organised from June to November this year to promote public awareness on the importance of emotional health.
Officiating at the event, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, said that to promote mental wellness in the community, the Social Welfare Department has rolled out 24 Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) across the territory through 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) since 2010 to provide one-stop and district-based community support services. As at September this year, these ICCMWs have offered support to more than 65 000 ex-mentally ill persons or people in need as well as organised about 18 500 educational activities on mental wellness. The Government also allocated additional resources to tie in with the Case Management Programme of the Hospital Authority to enhance relevant services.
"The Government's financial commitment on mental health has increased from $135 million in 2010 to over $314 million in 2017-18, representing a rise of more than 130 per cent," Dr Law said. To further enhance the services, the Government planned to create new clinical psychologist posts and increase the professional support of social workers in ICCMWs.
Also officiating at today's recognition ceremony were the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Professor Alfred Chan; the Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Mr David Leung; the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee's Sub-committee on Public Education on Rehabilitation, Dr Raymond Leung; the Ambassador of 2017 Mental Health Month and Hong Kong high jump athlete, Miss Cecilia Yeung; and the Chairperson of the Organising Committee of 2017 Mental Health Month, Mr Raymond Chiu.
During the recognition ceremony, Dr Law presented a certificate of appreciation to Miss Yeung for her support for the event. Miss Yeung also shared her experience in promoting mental health and wellness. Dr Law, Miss Yeung and other guests presented certificates of merit to winners of a meal design contest, a product design contest and a game creation contest. Organisations that have been supporting Mental Health Month for three consecutive years were presented with certificates of appreciation.
The officiating guests also launched a mini expo promoting mental wellness to be held at the venue afterwards. The mini expo was the final activity of 2017 Mental Health Month and showcased healthcare technology products and display boards with information on mental health. There were thematic seminars and interactive experience activities for participants to better understand and experience the importance of mental wellness.
In order to promote public awareness of mental wellness, the Organising Committee of 2017 Mental Health Month invited film director Wong Chun to film a TV announcement in the public interest (API) featuring Miss Yeung. The API has been launched and will be aired until March 2018 on local TV stations.
Mental Health Month is co-organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, various government departments, public organisations and NGOs. Details of Mental Health Month activities can be found on the Labour and Welfare Bureau website (www.lwb.gov.hk).
Ends/Saturday, November 11, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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