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The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced the launch of a mental health initiative to combat mental health crises among the young and elderly on Friday afternoon.
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Hong Kong has been facing a severe mental health crisis attributable to COVID-19, combined with the socioeconomic pressures that have raised stress levels all over Hong Kong.
According to a study, 2.8 percent of Hong Kong students had suicidal thoughts in the 2022–23 school year.
For the elderly, their declining health, coupled with loneliness and bereavement, leaves them at a greater risk of depression and suicide.
In light of this, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust announced today that they have approved HK$790 million to fund eight mental health initiatives, which will specifically target the needs of young people and Hong Kong's aging population. The initiatives are expected to support more than 154,000 people.
The HKJC Club Steward, Lester Garson Huang, stated at today's press conference that they will organize a multi-pronged approach to address mental health challenges.
They will work closely with the government, non-governmental organizations, social services, schools, and academia.
The eight initiatives will offer online and offline support at primary care, school, and community levels. Territory-wide monitoring will also be carried out to measure the impact.
Further details for the first initiatives will be announced at a later date.
