ENG
Introduction
Course Background
According to the World Health Organization (2022) report:
- In 2019, out of a global population of 8 billion, an estimated 970 million people in the world (13% of the global population) were living with a mental disorder.
- 1 in every 8 individuals live with a mental health condition
- 301 million people globally were living with anxiety disorders (31% of people with mental health problem)
- 280 million were living with depressive disorders (28.9% of people with mental health problem)
- Suicide accounts for more than one in every 100 deaths globally
Over the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of Hong Kong citizens seeking psychiatric consultations, indicating a concerning trend in the mental health condition of the population. The increase has reached a staggering 40.8%.
208100
pplPsychiatric consultation numbers
47100
pplNew psychiatric patients
104
weeksThe longest waiting time for new psychiatric patients
293000
pplPsychiatric consultation numbers
51271
pplNew psychiatric patients
95
weeksThe longest waiting time for new psychiatric patients
1
Doctor
761
Patients
Rising psychiatric consultation numbers reflect a worrisome mental health condition among Hong Kong citizens. According to the research conducted by the Organizing Committee of "Mental Health Month", the mental health status of Hong Kong citizens is deteriorating.
Currently, the average mental health score for Hong Kong citizens is 46.64, which is lower than the World Health Organization's qualifying score of 4.36 on the WHO-5 mental health index. It is also lower than the average mental health score of 9.29 for Hong Kong citizens in 2014, indicating a worsening mental health condition among the population.
Mental Health First Aid course aims to teach MHFAiders how to recognize mental health issues in those around them, how to initiate the ALGEE intervention process, and how to assist individuals in accessing community resources.
Professor Anthony Jorm and Ms. Betty Kitchener, Australian mental health researchers and education experts, co-founded the "Mental Health First Aid" course with the aim of increasing public awareness and knowledge about mental health.
MHAHK introduced the Australian "Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)" course.
Ms. Betty Kitchener was invited to come to Hong Kong to train local MHFA instructors. MHAHK has become the sole authorized organization to conduct MHFA courses, publish manuals, and issue certificates in China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
The first Standard MHFA course was launched.
The first Standard MHFA instructor training course was conducted.
The Youth MHFA course was introduced.
MHFA for the Older Persons course was launched
Due to the pandemic situation, the Standard MHFA (online) course was introduced, adapting to the circumstances.
More than 97,000 participants have been trained, and over 4,900 MHFA courses have been conducted.
5062
+ Completed classes
99000
+ Trained participantsCourse Introduction
Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems
Learn the 5 support actions (ALGEE)
Get the community support
Popularize "Mental Health First Aid"
To provide support for individuals experiencing emotional or mental distress, in order to enhance their mental well-being.
Standard Mental Health First Aid Course
- Skills in identifying signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and crisis
- Skills in providing appropriate initiate help and support before the situation get worse
- Assist individuals in needs to seek for appropriate professional services or appropriate social resources
Target audience: General public
Teaching format: In-person instruction
Duration: 12 hours
Mental Health First Aid for the Older Persons
- Skills in identifying signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and crisis among elderly, such as Cognitive Impairment and Confustion
- Skills in providing appropriate initiate help and support before the situation get worse
- Assist individuals in needs to seek for appropriate professional services or appropriate social resources
Target audience: General public
Teaching format: In-person instruction
Duration: 12 hours
Youth Mental Health First Aid
- Skills in identifying signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and crisis among teenagers, such as self-harm and eating disorders
- Skills in providing appropriate initiate help and support before the situation get worse
- Assist individuals in needs to seek for appropriate professional services or appropriate social resources
Target audience: General public
Teaching format: In-person instruction
Duration: 14 hours
Standard Mental Health First Aid Course (Online)
- Skills in identifying signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and crisis
- Skills in providing appropriate initiate help and support before the situation get worse
- Assist individuals in needs to seek for appropriate professional services or appropriate social resources
Target audience: General public
Teaching format: Self-paced online learning + video conferencing instruction
Duration: 7 hours of self-paced online learning + 5 hours of video conferencing instruction
Standard Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training
- Identifying the pathology and symptoms of various mental health problems.
- Professionals such as Psychiatrists and Psychologists will explain relevant coping methods and disease management.
- Learn about community resources.
- Practical assessment included.
Target audience: Professionals in the mental health industry
Teaching format: In-person instruction
Duration: 40 hours
01
The Mental Health Association Hong Kong is the only organization in Hong Kong recognized by "Mental Health First Aid (International)".
02
Authorized by "Mental Health First Aid (International)", courses can be conducted, manuals can be published, and certificates can be issued in China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
03
Most instructors have experience in mental health-related work, such as social workers, psychologists, healthcare professionals, etc., which provides them with a certain level of experience in handling mental health issues and coping strategies.
04
The course is widely welcomed by various groups of people, including social workers from welfare organizations, management personnel from businesses, educators, frontline employees, parents, and students.
Dr Benjamin Lai Sau-shun
Psychiatry
Dr. Pan Pey Chyou
Psychiatry
Dr Lam Ming
Psychiatry
Dr. Lee Wing King
Psychiatry
Professor Wong Fu-keung, Daniel
Associate Head & Chair Professor of the Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor Lawrence Lam
Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, The Macau University of Science and Technology
Dr. Li Ching Kwok Rico
Psychiatry
Dr. Linda Yeung
Senior clinical psychologist
