An online counseling service has been launched to provide service to some of the 682,500 people with depression in Hong Kong.

Researchers said the new program, launched by Hong Kong Baptist University, can help with the shortage of mental health professionals in the city.

Pan Jia-yan, an associate professor at the university's department of social work, said the demand for counseling service for depressive symptoms is pressing in the city, with around 682,500 patients last year.

However, demand for treatment far outweighs the number of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, which stands at 505 and 309 respectively.

Pan said that in contrast, patients with depressive symptoms opting for online counseling services, which uses a minimal level of resources can help alleviate burden on the SAR's health-care system.

However, Pan admitted that moving counseling online is still "a novel approach with huge development potential" in Hong Kong, despite its prevalence in places like North America and Northern Europe.

The 10-week cognitive behavioral therapy program, for which acceptance for application started yesterday, will recruit 400 people aged between 18 and 70 with mild to moderate depressive symptoms between April 2020 and December 2021.

The HK$4 million program is part of a three-year mental health service project named Cando, which is led by the university's department of social work and funded by Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living of the Innovation and Technology Bureau in 2019.

Those in the program will first be screened through an online questionnaire.

Those who show mild to moderate depressive symptoms will be invited to join in the program, while high-risk cases will be referred to the social service sector for urgent follow-up.

Those selected for the program will be exposed to eight online weekly modules of cognitive and behavioral skills training, including mood checks, briefings, five demonstration videos based on certain themes, a forum and exercises delivered on the program's website or mobile app.

Tim Fung Cheung-tim, director of Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong, said that the online counseling program will also be able to match the schedule of busy Hongkongers, as the program allows those taking part to complete it in their own time and at their own pace.

Help for depressed people launched online