HKJC expands mental-health program with $678m funding

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has approved a cumulative funding of HK$678 million to support JC JoyAged, which aims to expand its community-based mental health support services to a primary care level.

Initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2016, the project has addressed the social issue of elderly depression through a cross-sectoral community support network.

By collaborating with District Elderly Community Centres and Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness, the project has established an integrated service model covering more than 70 percent of service units providing relevant services.

HKJC highlighted that it will establish the “Jockey Club JoyAge Hub” and introduce “Primary Care Physician Co-Care Services” with designated general practitioners and family doctors.

Meanwhile, the services will extend the age coverage from individuals aged 60 and above to those aged 45 and above.

An enhanced referral mechanism will also be established under the project, collaborating with hospital authority clusters to refer stable and wait-listed psychiatric outpatient cases to community service units or designated community centers.

This project's new phase aims to provide services to over 13,000 at-risk and depressed elderly and middle-aged individuals, with 90 service users referred to designated primary care physicians for medical support.

It will train over 70 social workers through professional workshops, engage over 480 peer supporters, and conduct over 1,500 public education programs to enhance mental health literacy.