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$3.2 billion spent on mental health services each year
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     The Government attached great importance to the public's mental health and $3.2 billion was spent annually on the provision of mental health services, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (September 29).

     Speaking at the launching ceremony of Project Torchlight, a public awareness campaign organised by the Hong Kong Early Psychosis Intervention Society, Mr Cheung said, "The Government is committed to providing a full range of prevention, early identification and medical services, with particular emphasis on the promotion of medical and social rehabilitation services at the community level."

     He said an additional $250 million and $86.3 million had been allocated to the Hospital Authority and the Social Welfare Department respectively from 2001-02 to 2008-09 to step up psychiatric community health services and medical social services, and to implement new measures to help identify mental patients and offer them with medical treatment.

     At the community level, the Social Welfare Department set up the first integrated centre in Tin Shui Wai in March this year to provide one-stop community support and rehabilitation services for discharged mental patients, people with suspected mental problems and their families. The centre is expected to handle 450 cases each year and provide supportive services for 1,200 family members or carers.

     "The Government is conducting a review of the integrated service model and will actively consider whether to extend the mode of services to other districts," he said.

     "We need the support of the community to promote mental health. I am glad that Project Torchlight shares a common goal with our mental health policy. I hope the project can help our young people learn more about the importance of mental health so that they can face up to the stress and challenges ahead."

Ends/Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:57

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