18111 Mental Health Support Hotline launches new features to offer more thoughtful, convenient, and comprehensive mental health support services (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
Professor Lo said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been attaching great importance to the mental health of the public and has been promoting the development of relevant services through an integrated approach. In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed a number of mental health-related measures, further enhancing mental health services through a strategy of identification, intervention and treatment, with equal emphasis on prevention, including the creation of supportive environments in schools and workplaces.
"The Government launched the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline in December 2023 to provide 24-hour, one-stop emotional and mental health support. As of the end of October this year, the Hotline has handled nearly 220 000 calls, which was an average of around 330 calls per day, demonstrating our commitment to providing round-the-clock and one-stop support for members of public.
"Drawing on 22 months of operational experience of the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline, we have introduced four new features for the Hotline to respond to various needs of the public, offering more thoughtful, convenient, and comprehensive emotional support to the public. Should any members of the public be in mental distress or have mental health needs, I encourage them to call the Hotline to seek appropriate support. The Hotline will, as always, stand ready to chat, and we are all ears."
The four new features of the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline are as follows:
(1) WhatsApp support
Having regard to modern communication habits of the public, the Hotline now offers WhatsApp support, allowing them to send instant messages to the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline and receive immediate online support from trained personnel. This feature is not only suitable for young people and persons in need who may feel hesitant or find it inconvenient to make phone calls, but also enables citizens with hearing or speech impairments to seek assistance in a more convenient manner, thereby enhancing the service's flexibility and accessibility.
(2) Multi-language support
The 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline now supports 12 languages. In addition to the original Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, the Hotline has expanded to support nine ethnic minority languages, namely Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, Punjabi, Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Bengali, and Thai. This enhancement improves service accessibility, enabling people using different languages to receive the support they need.
(3) Scheduled callback
Members of the public can now schedule a callback at a convenient time in advance via phone, voicemail, or WhatsApp. Trained personnel will contact them at a scheduled time, offering more flexible and thoughtful mental health support.
(4) Additional optional services
Apart from talking with personnel of the Hotline, members of the public can opt to receive information on support services and stress management techniques or listen to life stories shared by persons in mental recovery on ways to cope with difficult situations and experiences in seeking help (Real People Library). These options, available via voice navigation or WhatsApp, enable members of the public to have instant access to information on other support services and advice on emotional relief.
Professor Lo expressed gratitude to the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH), as well as all organisations and stakeholders promoting mental health services. He said, "Mental health is not only a personal matter but also a social responsibility. I believe that, with the concerted efforts of the Government, various sectors of the community and families, Hong Kong will become a more caring society that places greater emphasis on mental health."
The Chairman of the ACMH, Dr Lam Ching-choi, who also officiated at the Launch Ceremony, said, "Mental health is a vital cornerstone of the sense of well-being in society. I hope every citizen in need will have a place to turn for help and feel the care and support. The new features of the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline address the various needs of the public, marking a significant step forward in mental health support services. By launching the new features, I hope the support services can be extended to more people, offering more diverse and flexible support options for the public."
Other officiating guests are the Acting Director of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, and Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Eddie Lee. Members of the ACMH, as well as representatives from various non-governmental organisations and mental and emotional support service groups, also attended the Launch Ceremony to show their support for enhancing mental health initiatives.
Ends/Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:35
Issued at HKT 18:35
NNNN
Photo
