The Health Bureau (SSM), Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) and Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) jointly held a press conference yesterday, aiming to raise public awareness of the need for people to seek help when they experience emotional distress.
The bureaux have joined hands and formed a support network covering all ages throughout the whole recovery process via a network of cross-departmental cooperation.
The press conference about the setting-up of the psychology support network was held at the SSM Public Health Emergency Personnel Residence Hall on Guia Hill.
Addressing the press conference, the Health Bureau’s Conde de S. Januário Hospital Centre (CHCSJ) Psychiatry Department Head Lam Mei Fong urged residents who experience persistent low mood, anxiety or insomnia for more than two weeks that affect their daily lives – such as work and social interactions – to seek help promptly.
She emphasised the importance of not delaying in asking for help, as the longer symptoms persist the more severe they may become and the harder they are to treat. Early intervention leads to better outcomes, Lam said
CHCSJ Acting Director Tai Wa Hou introduced the Health Bureau’s four-tiered intervention mechanism for mental health issues, covering community level, health centre level, specialist level and rehabilitation level, including the 24-hour Sunny Mood Hotline, the Caritas Expat Life Hope Hotline and the mood self-assessment on the “Macao One Account” app at community level.
Tai pointed out that nine local health centres and three community organisations offer psychotherapy and mental health services and pharmacological treatment, inpatient services, and crisis intervention at specialist level.
Through the tiered intervention mechanism, mild cases are addressed within the community, moderate to severe cases receive appropriate treatment, and recovering individuals benefit from continuous care, Tai said.
Cross-departmental collaboration mechanism
Meanwhile, DSEDJ Non-Tertiary Education Department Chief Choi Man Chi noted that her bureau has introduced a 24-hour student counselling hotline and an online consultation platform for the 2025/2026 school year, enabling students to seek companionship and a “listening ear” anonymously at any time.
“Mental Health Education Courseware” and “Youth Mental Health Education Materials,” have been developed, aiming to encourage schools to regularly conduct mental health education classes, Chio said, adding that the material will be released later this year.
IAS Social Solidarity Department Head U Ka Wai noted that regarding elderly care services, efforts are being coordinated to conduct in-home assessments and follow-ups for cases identified as having mental health risks in the ongoing census of elderly residents living alone or in two-person households. In addition, an elderly care services information package is being compiled to consolidate service information, U said.
Conde de S. Januário Hospital Centre (CHCSJ) Psychiatry Department Head Lam Mei Fong (second from left), CHCSJ Acting Director Tai Wa Hou (centre), Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) Non-Tertiary Education Department Chief Choi Man Chi (second from right) and Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) Social Solidarity Department Head U Ka Wai (first from right) and Health Bureau (SSM) psychotherapy senior official Choi Ka Man pose for a group photo during yesterday’s press conference about setting up a psychology support network, at the SSM Health Emergency Personnel Residence Hall on Guia Hill. – Photo: Ida Cheong
