Hong Kong Launches Government-Funded Mental Health Hotline Following Mall Stabbing Incident
In response to heightened concerns about residents’ mental well-being following a fatal mall stabbing earlier this year, Hong Kong authorities have unveiled a new mental health hotline aimed at providing essential counseling services to the public.
Secretary for Health, Lo Chung-mau, officially introduced the hotline, accessible at the number 18111, during a press conference held on Thursday. Emphasizing the immediate and real-time assistance provided, Lo stated, “This is a 24-hour real-time person-to-person response to any call. So we have staff – at least six staff – online at any time,” assuring that the system is equipped to handle increased demand.
The government’s press release assured callers of “immediate support and counseling services,” with referrals to relevant organizations based on individual cases.
Notably, this mental health hotline stands out as the first in the city to be entirely funded by the government, departing from the usual NGO-funded model.
Highlighting the ease of recall, the government explained that the number, 18111, was chosen intentionally. The “18” signifies the comprehensive coverage of mental health support across all 18 districts in the city, and the lone digit “1” symbolizes the singular, dedicated hotline offering comprehensive assistance to those in need.
The launch of the hotline follows a tragic incident earlier this year, a rare act of violent crime in the city, where two women were fatally stabbed at a Diamond Hill shopping center by an individual reportedly suffering from schizophrenia. In response, the Social Welfare Department promptly established a mobile service counter staffed by clinical psychologists near the incident site, providing immediate counseling support.
The aftermath of the incident prompted calls for increased government involvement in mental health support. The government, in turn, proposed enhancements to mental health services, committing to the establishment of a mental health support hotline by the end of the year. Chief Executive John Lee, in his Policy Address last year, had already announced the initiative, emphasizing its role in enhancing the overall mental wellness of the community.
