In time of crisis or personal struggles, sharing your thoughts with another person can help you feel better. If you or someone you know is suffering from mental distress but is not an emergency, ring one of the hotlines, reach out to professional counsellors or find support online. For immediate attention, please call 999 or approach the nearest A&E department. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editor’s note: This article is intended as a helpful guide for those seeking mental health support and is not an exhausting list of all resources that are available. If you know of any hotlines, counselling services or online support that you think we should include, email digital@hongkongliving.com<\/a> to get in touch.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Samaritans<\/a> is a non-profit and non-religious organisation which offers emotional support to those in general distress or have thoughts about harming themselves. Operated by well-trained volunteers, its hotline provides 24 hours multilingual suicide prevention service. To ensure confidentiality, no calling number is displayed on the centre’s telephones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phone number: <\/strong>2896 0000 There is always someone out there who is more than willing to listen to your emotions and care for your needs. The Samaritans Befrienders Hong Kong<\/a> is a group of passionate volunteers who understands what it means to provide emotional aid when you are in need. The hotline is available whenever anytime and help is just one call away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Phone number: <\/strong>2389 2222 for Cantonese and 2389 2223 for English It takes courage to reach out for help, and for over two decades, professionally-trained volunteers at Suicide Prevention Services<\/a> have been patiently listening to their callers. All judgements aside, listeners on the other side of the line are here for those who want their feelings to be understood. Extending its care to distressed elders, the centre is also dedicated to preventing elderly suicide in Hong Kong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Phone number: <\/strong>2382 0000 It can be easy to get overwhelmed by what’s happening around us, hearing a third person’s perspective may help us look at things differently. At Caritas Family Crisis Support<\/a>, all-rounded service is provided for those who are suffering from emotional disturbance due to family issues or personal struggles. From a 24-hour hotline to counselling and temporary boarding, the services are all supported by registered social workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phone number: <\/strong>18288 Under the Social Welfare Department, Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) is a district-based, one-stop community support you can reach out to. With outlets at 19 districts across Hong Kong, the centres offer drop-in services, counselling, therapies and more for free. After assessing your needs, the ICCMW can also refer you to neighbourhood psychological clinics or non-governmental organisations like Caritas Hong Kong for more detail follow-ups. Contact its 24-hour hotline for immediate assistance or to arrange a meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness<\/a>, multiple locations across all districts<\/a>, 2343 2255<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n ReSource offers confidential counselling and professional mental health services. From grief counselling to family group therapy, it is here to empower help-seekers in alleviating their stress and struggles they are going through. With multiple languages available, its counselling service charges are also adjustable according to a sliding scale. If you feeling like you\u2019re having a bump in life, big or tiny, it is always better not to accumulate stress and talk it out with experienced and sympathetic counsellors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ReSource Counselling Centre<\/a>, 23\/F, Li Dong Building, 9 Li Yuen Street East, Central, 2523 8979<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As the largest and oldest mental health NGO in Hong Kong, St. John’s Cathedral Counselling Service has a strong team of counsellors, therapists, social workers and psychologists. Providing affordable, professional and multi-culturally sensitive counselling, the centre offers sessions in various languages, aiming to fully understand individual needs and give each person ample time and opportunity to recover. It caters for a wide range of issues, from personal and relationship counselling to guidance on mood and anxiety disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n St. John’s Cathedral Counselling Service<\/a>, 7\/F, Wings Building, 110-116 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2525 7207 or 2525 7208<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded by a recoverer from depression and anxiety, Joyful Foundation understands the needs of those who are mentally stressed. Aiming to provide suitable help and treatment as early as possible, the centre is led by a group of professional clinical psychologists and counsellors, at the ready to listen to your voice. Whether you’re having difficulties coping with life and work, or just want someone to lift the burden off your shoulders, drop by the centre or dial its 24-hour hotline for inquiry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Joyful (Mental Health) Foundation<\/a>, Unit 1001-1003, 10\/F, New Treasure Centre, 10 Ng Fong Street, San Po Kong, 2301 2303<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Open Up<\/a> is the first round-the-clock counselling platform in Hong Kong. Targeting people aged between 11 and 35, its counselling service is available in both Cantonese and English. Sometimes it feels easier to write down your thoughts and worries than talking out loud. With a big team of volunteers and counsellors, the platform is available via Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram and SMS, with responder always on the other side of the line ready for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SMS or WhatsApp:<\/strong> 9102 2102 Chatpoint<\/a> is an online chatroom for those who are in mental distress or have suicidal thoughts. The platform is one of the operations under The Samaritans Befrienders Hong Kong. A one-off emotional support platform, conversations and identity of help-seekers are kept confidential. If there is something you want to get off of your chest, just send a message through its website to approach patient volunteers and well-trained counsellors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 24-hour hotline:<\/strong> 2389 2222 It may not always be convenient to make a phone call, but you can’t pause your emotions. Talkspace<\/a> offers unlimited messaging service to skilled professionals that offer counselling, emotional support and therapy. In light of the pandemic, the platform has been receiving more responses lately. It is normal to feel stressed-out and concerned about uncertainties, so talk it out with a personal therapist on Talkspace to share your feelings and get instant gratification. On top of text support, services also include virtual appointments, from couples therapy to assistance targeting teenagers. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHotlines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Samaritans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Service:<\/strong> Suicide prevention
Service hours:<\/strong> 24 hours
Language:<\/strong> Cantonese, Mandarin, English, Tagalog, Urdu, French, German, Spanish, Hindi, Malay, Panjabi<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Samaritans Befrienders Hong Kong<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Service:<\/strong> Emotional support and suicide prevention
Service hours:<\/strong> 24 hours for Cantonese, 6:30-10pm weekdays (excluding public holidays) for English
Language:<\/strong> Cantonese and English <\/p>\n\n\n\nSuicide Prevention Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Service:<\/strong> Suicide prevention
Service hours:<\/strong> 24 hours
Language:<\/strong> Cantonese only<\/p>\n\n\n\nCaritas Family Crisis Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Service:<\/strong> Family crisis and general emotional support
Service hours:<\/strong> 24 hours
Language:<\/strong> Cantonese, English and Mandarin<\/p>\n\n\n\nCounselling services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIntegrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
ReSource Counselling Centre <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
St. John’s Cathedral Counselling Service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Joyful (Mental Health) Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Online support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"oleg-magni-unsplash\"](\"https:\/\/hongkongliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/oleg-magni-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOpen Up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Service hours:<\/strong> 24 hours
Language:<\/strong> Cantonese and English<\/p>\n\n\n\nChatpoint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Service hours: <\/strong>6am-1am on weekdays, 8pm-1am on weekends and public holidays
Language:<\/strong> Cantonese<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalkspace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
BetterHelp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n