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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (October 10) that 24 service delivery points of the one-stop Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) would come into operation in all 18 districts across the territory this month.
The Social Welfare Department's annual funding to 11 non-governmental organisations (NGO) for operating these service delivery points has doubled from $65 million to $135 million.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Mental Health Month 2010 cum Mental Health Walk, Mr Cheung said, "Under the new service mode, each ICCMW will be operated by a single NGO to provide one-stop service to meet the various needs of the service users. It is more people-oriented and helps reduce unnecessary referrals.
"For the permanent accommodation of the ICCMWs, the Government has reserved suitable sites at new or redevelopment projects in all districts, but will need support from district councils, the local community and residents to bring them to fruition."
Mr Cheung urged the local community to show the spirit of respect, acceptance and care in the Caring Neighbour Charter and lend their support to the setting up of ICCMWs in their permanent sites across the territory.
He said, "Mental health is vital to everyone. Hong Kong is a busy city. Life is hectic. Everyone feels the heat somewhat. It was with this in mind that the services of ICCMWs were proposed.
"Members of the public can make use of ICCMWs when they feel stressed and need support. The professional teams at the centres will offer help through different kinds of activities, services and education programmes."
As part of the Mental Health Month 2010 public education campaign, the charter calls on members of the public to respect, accept and care for formerly mentally ill persons in the neighbourhood.
This year, Mental Health Month seeks to promote family-based and neighbourhood support networks with a view to helping formerly mentally ill persons reintegrate into the community.
Some 40,000 members of the public have pledged their support for the charter in a signature campaign held across the 18 districts in September, among which New Territories North, Tai Po, Kwai Tsing and Kwun Tong collected the most signatures.
To enable members of the public to better understand the needs of formerly mentally ill persons, a group of volunteer Caring Ambassadors will be trained to help promote mental health awareness in their respective ICCMW in the coming months. They will serve as a bridge between formerly mentally ill persons and residents.
Mr Cheung, joined by other guests, kicked off the Mental Health Walk after giving a pledge to support the charter at the ceremony.
The guests included the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Public Education on Rehabilitation of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Mr Raymond Lee; the Chairman of the Organising Committee of Mental Health Month, Ms Sania Yau; the Mental Health Ambassador 2010, Ms Paw Hee-ching; representatives of District Councils and the Caring Ambassadors.
More than 1,000 members of the public took part in the Mental Health Walk, signifying that the community is working closely together to make Hong Kong a caring place.
Mental Health Month, now into its 16th year, is jointly organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, government departments, public organisations and non-governmental organisations. Details of the activities during Mental Health Month can be found on the Labour and Welfare Bureau website (www.lwb.gov.hk).
Ends/Sunday, October 10, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:25
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