JUSTONE, the city’s first one-stop 24-hour service hotline has been launched by Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong to provide immediate support service specifically for people recovering from mental illness and their carers, thanks to a HK$4.88 million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The donation will cover the hotline’s operation cost for three years, as well as the cost of renovating a support service centre in Yau Ma Tei. Close to 1,000 people recovering from mental illness and their carers will benefit from the service.
Today (12 April) the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung , Chairman of Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong Dr Yeung Wai Song, Director Dr Fung Cheung Tim, Head of Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Petrus Ng attended the launch ceremony.
Mr So said that providing aftercare services in the community for people recovering from mental illness to integrate into the society quickly is the trend of developing rehabilitation services. He said the Club paid high attention to the public’s mental health and was delighted to support the Richmond Fellowship in launching JUSTONE. “Apart from physical health, we should also pay attention to the mental health of our family members and friends. Today it provides us with an opportunity to meet people who work in this sector, family members and carers of the people recovering from mental illness, so as to enable us to understand the importance of mental health.”
With the newly launched JUSTONE service hotline, people recovering from mental illness can receive emotional counselling and support from registered social workers and trained volunteers around the clock. Other than that, they will be reminded regularly about consultation appointments and their medication adherence. Through these regular contacts, the social workers or volunteers can more easily identify relapse symptoms at an early stage and help reduce the possibility of hospitalisation upon relapse.
The hotline service is also available to their family members to seek professional counselling and support services. Social workers and trained volunteers will help them to have a better understanding of the mental conditions of the family members in recovery, so they can live a harmonious family life.
Furthermore, Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong will provide training for the volunteers and organise public education programmes to enhance public awareness of mental health and encourage acceptance of people with mentally illness into community life. It is expected that these programmes will reach nearly 380,000 people in the community.
The Club has given a high priority to enhancing public awareness of public health over the years. Apart from supporting medical health projects, the Club has also placed great emphasis on mental health projects, including the Jockey Club Early Psychosis Project which provides assistance and support to the over-25-year-old early psychosis patients, as well as the Jockey Club Sunny Place – a new facility that provides one-stop rehabilitation service and great autonomy for recovering from mental illness residents.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.6 billion in 2011. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$15 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, says the Club pays high attention to publica£į?s mental health and is delighted to support the Richmond Fellowship in launching JUSTONE.
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (left), joins Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung (2nd right), Chairman of Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong Dr Yeung Wai Song (1st right) to officiate at the launch ceremony of the support service centre.
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (left), receives a souvenir from Chairman of Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong Dr Yeung Wai Song (right).
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (4th left), Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Matthew Cheung (4th right), Chairman of Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong Dr Yeung Wai Song (3rd right), Director Dr Fung Cheung Tim (3rd left), Head of Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Petrus Ng (2nd right) launch the hotline together with volunteer Tong Nai Wing (2nd left), user Siu Yue (1st left), and a family member Man Yuk Har (1st right).
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Hotline volunteer Tong Nai Wing (1st left), user Siu Yue (1st right), and a family member Man Yuk Har (2nd right) share their experience with the guests.
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Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Matthew Cheung (centre), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (left) and Chairman of Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong Dr Yeung Wai Song (right).
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