Follow-up on Views Gathered at the Stakeholder Engagement Session on "Supporting Children's Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic"

On Mental Health Issues

Education services
- The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to the healthy growth of students. Primary and secondary schools are encouraged to adopt the Whole School Approach directed at three levels, namely Universal, Selective, and Indicated, to promote mental health amongst students and enhance support for students with mental health needs (including those with suicidal risk).
- EDB launched the one-stop “Mental Health@School” website in the 2020/21 school year to disseminate to schools and the public a wide range of updated information, suitable resources and various strategies (e.g. e-posters and pamphlets) in taking care of the mental health of students. In parallel, diversified information on student mental health is disseminated to parents through the one-stop parent education website “Smart Parent Net” and its social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram pages and YouTube channel, showing care for the mental health of students in various forms.
- EDB provides the “Mental Health@School One-off Grant” and “One-off Grant for Mental Health of Parents and Students” to all publicly-funded primary and secondary schools (including special schools) and their the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) respectively. Schools and PTAs can utilise the grant flexibly to organise activities or purchase services or materials which are related to the promotion of mental health for students, teachers and parents in 2023/24 and 2024/25 school years.
- To help teachers identify and optimise the use of relevant external and community resources, EDB set up the “Mental Health@School” Teacher Professional Network (the Network) starting from the 2022/23 school year. The Network serves to provide a resource sharing platform to facilitate teachers’ exchanges. EDB invites the teachers to attend seminars and disseminate the latest relevant information through emails regularly.
- To enable early identification of students with mental health needs, EDB is committed to providing “gatekeeper” training for teachers, parents and students. Some examples include: a 60-hour thematic course for teachers, online workshops for parents, and the “Peer Power - Student Gatekeeper Training Programme” for secondary students. In the 2023/24 school year, EDB will provide a series of intensive workshops for teachers and school guidance personnel (e.g. social workers and school-based educational psychologists) with the focus on enhancing their knowledge and skills in caring for students with mental health needs.
- EDB reminds schools to ensure students with mental health problems could receive timely and appropriate mental health support services. School’s multi-disciplinary team (including guidance masters/ mistresses, guidance personnel, school social workers and school-based educational psychologists) would flexibly mobilise manpower and resources within the school to support the learning, social, emotional and behavioural needs of students with mental health issues.
Social Services
- 65 Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs) and 2 Integrated Service Centres (ISCs) provide the required services, including casework service, family life education, groups and programmes, as well as support and emotional counselling, etc. for parents so as to relieve their stress, equip them with parenting skills, enhance their support network and provide crisis intervention services, etc.
- Social Welfare Department (SWD) casework units supporting the children under the guardianship of the Director of Social Welfare provide the required services, including casework service, support and emotional counselling, etc. for the children in need.
- SWD set up five Cyber Youth Support Teams (CYSTs) in 2018 to proactively approach the at-risk and hidden youths through online platform commonly used by young people and provide those in need (including those with unstable emotion and suicidal ideation) with timely intervention, support and counselling service through online and offline modes. With the funding support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the five service operators of the five CYSTs has launched the “Open Up – Jockey Club Online Youth Emotional Support Programme”, which provides round-the-clock text-based synchronous online counselling and crisis intervention service addressing the emotional needs and suicidal risks of young people.
Cross-bureau/departmental collaboration
- The Health Bureau, in collaboration with EDB, the Hospital Authority (HA) and SWD, has launched the “Student Mental Health Support Scheme” to provide appropriate support services for students with mental health needs.
Others
- With the support of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, the Health Bureau commissioned three mental health prevalence studies targeting different age groups in 2019, including the “Hong Kong Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Epidemiologic Survey: Age 6 to 17” and “The Hong Kong Youth Epidemiological Study of Mental Health” targeting youth aged 15-24 (“the Surveys”). Among other things, the Surveys aim to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, help-seeking and service utilisation, as well as the associated risk and protective factors. A press conference was held in May and November 2023 respectively to release the findings of the Surveys.

On Use of Internet and Electronic Devices

EDB provides the “Information Literacy for Hong Kong Students” learning framework for schools to foster students’ ability and attitude to use information and communication technology effectively and ethically, including the healthy use of the Internet and electronic devices, raising awareness of false information and online traps. EDB also provides teachers with relevant professional development programmes and resource kits, and collaborates with different government departments and non-government organisations to organise related student activities and produce video clips and resources to assist schools in conducting parent education activities. Moreover, EDB organises annual parent seminars, inviting experts and social workers to introduce effective parenting for the e-Generation, helping parents cultivate their children with good habits in using information technology in daily life and study, refraining from Internet addiction, avoiding indecent contents, etc. A telephone hotline has also been set up to provide individual support for parents, teachers and students in need.
EDB launched the “Wise NET School Recognition Scheme” to promote healthy Internet use and facilitate inter-school sharing of information and successful experience. Schools are encouraged to incorporate programmes and organise activities with themes on “Internet Addiction” and “Prevention of Internet Pitfalls” as appropriate, to enhancing students’ knowledge on cybercrimes.

On Schooling Arrangements and Related Support

Healthcare guidelines
- After the resumption of whole-day face-to-face classes for all secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens in February 2022 and cessation of the mask-wearing requirement in March 2022, EDB has prepared the respective guidelines on handling communicable diseases and incorporated them into the “School Administration Guide” which is updated from time to time according to the latest health situation.
- Schools can make reference to Chapter 3.5.4 “Handling incidents of communicable diseases” of the “School Administration Guide” issued by EDB, “Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases” issued by Centre for Health Protection, and other information posted on EDB website “Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Schools/ Kindergartens/ Kindergartens-cum-Child Care Centres/ Child Care Centres”, and should always maintain the environmental hygiene of schools in order to safeguard the health of teachers and students.
Guidance and support to schools on mental health issues
- Regarding the after effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, at the beginning of 2023/24 school year, EDB launched the “Start the New School Year Full of Energy” designated webpage on the “Mental Health@School” website, pooling together different resources to assist schools in helping students prepare for the new school year with a positive mindset. EDB has compiled a series of resources to support students in adjusting to school life and assist schools in promoting student mental health on an ongoing basis. Information provided in the designated webpage includes collaboration with “headwind” (www.youthmentalhealth.hku.hk), an online mental health support platform launched by the team from the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Hong Kong, collaborate with “Open Up” (www.openup.hk/service) the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s online platform on youth emotional support, “Start the Day Full of Energy” cheer-up cards and relevant activities for schools to encourage schools to organise activities under the “Start the New School Year Full of Energy” Campaign, with a view to strengthening students’ sense of connectedness with schools and “Resource Packs” for teachers for helping students adjust to the new school year.
- The epidemic has brought to our society unprecedented challenges in the past few years. As schooling and social life resume normality, it takes time for students to gradually adapt to all the changes. EDB issued a circular memorandum in November 2023, strongly advised schools to prioritise the protection of students’ well-being and their mental health, and encouraged teachers be vigilant of students’ mental health. Schools should review students’ homework load, schools’ assessment arrangements and lesson timetables in a practical and professional manner, to create more space for students, and to ensure that students have sufficient rest and relaxation time to engage in activities that are beneficial to their body and mind, so that students can learn and grow healthily and happily. EDB appealed to all schools in the territory to launch the “Spread the Love, Care and Shine” Campaign within November 2023. Schools were encouraged to refer to the reference and activity materials provided by EDB to organise various school-based and class-based mental health promotion activities for students. These suggestions included i) organising “Mental Health Day(s)” and setting up a Mental Health Corner/Room in the classroom or school in order to create a relaxing and caring school campus, ii) reviewing school assessments, tests and examinations, and time-table arrangement and iii) enhancing class-based support.
Professional training for school personnel
- EDB has commissioned tertiary institutions to provide structured courses, aiming at enhancing teachers’ knowledge and skills in integrating guidance and discipline work into the school system and developing their capacity on case management, group work and collaboration with multi-disciplinary professionals to support students in needs. The courses cover contents relating to student mental health, child abuse and domestic violence. To strengthen the sensitivity and capability of school personnel (including principals, teachers and social workers) in early identification of students or families in need as well as provision of timely intervention and child protective measures, EDB organises talks and seminars regularly in collaboration with SWD and Hong Kong Police Force on the handling of suspected child abuse cases. Online course on “Early Identification and Handling of Suspected Child Maltreatment Cases” has also been provided to allow more flexible schedules for school personnel.

On General Support to Children and their Parents/Carers

EDB commissioned a tertiary institution to organise parent education courses for parents of primary and kindergarten students. One of the foci of the courses is to cultivate parents’ positive attitudes and strengthen their skills in managing parental stress in general. It is expected that parents can transfer these skills learned to face various challenges including those arising from pandemics.
The schools and non-governmental organisations, with donation from business corporations, can prepare proposals to apply for matching grant under the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, so as to implement time-limited projects aiming to enhance parent-child interaction and relationship of the grass-root and disadvantaged families. In addition, both the Child Development Fund and the Strive and Rise Programme, through the tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, help promote the longer-term development of the underprivileged children and youth through mentorship, personal development plan and financial support. Besides, training course(s) on parenting and communication skills will be arranged for the parents to enhance their communications and parenting skills as well as to encourage them to engage in their children’s life planning and financial planning.

On Support Measures for Children with Specific Needs and their Parents/Carers

Measures for early identification and intervention
- EDB, SWD, the Child Assessment Service (CAS) under the Department of Health and HA have enhanced collaboration. The child assessment centres, with parental consent, will send the assessment information of the children with special needs in pre-school centres/kindergartens to EDB for transfer to their recipient schools. Whereas the pre-school rehabilitation service units subvented by SWD will forward the progress report of the respective children entering Primary One (P.1) to their recipient schools. The arrangements ensure that the primary schools can have an early understanding of the special needs of the students concerned and provide appropriate support for their smooth integration into the learning environment at primary schools. Schools should formulate support measures for the transition of P.1 students, record them in the Summary of Transition Support for P.1 Students, and explain to parents the support measures to be provided by the schools.
- In addition to the regular subvention, EDB has all along been providing public sector ordinary schools with additional resources, professional support and teacher training to help schools cater for students with special educational needs (SEN). Ordinary primary schools have to adopt the Whole School Approach for aligning school policies, culture and practices, and deploy resources flexibly, for early identification and intervention for students with SEN. Schools may deploy the additional resources available to acquire the necessary expertise and strengthen their professional capacity in catering for students with SEN.
Child assessment service
- CAS has adopted a triage system such that all new cases are seen by nurses within 3 weeks after registration, and children with urgent and more serious conditions are accorded with higher priority for assessment upon preliminary assessment by nurses.
- The completion rate for assessment of new cases within 6 months has decreased from 73% in 2021 to 61% in 2022 as some parents were reluctant to bring their children to CAS for assessment and some staff were deployed to assist in anti-epidemic duties during the fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic. With the resumption of normalcy in the society, it is expected that the completion rate for assessment of new cases within 6 months would improve.
- In 2019-20, CAS has strengthened its manpower, including registered nurses, allied health (speech therapists, senior occupational therapist and senior physiotherapist) and other supporting staff with a view to alleviating some workload of the doctors, such as following up on referral service arrangements, arranging parents to attend appropriate workshops and introducing relevant community resources. The additional allied health staff also helped to provide support for children with specific needs.
- Upon the regularisation of Tier 1 Support Services in September 2023, the services have been extended to cover nearly 900 pre-primary institutions over the territory. Children with mild developmental problems and those waiting for assessment by CAS will be screened out by Special Child Care Workers/ school teachers and supported by tier 1 service. For those children who do not show improvement, the school educational psychologist can team up with teachers and other therapists to provide a more comprehensive and ongoing assessment to see if the children need tier 2 services, or refer them to CAS for assessment. While CAS provides support to the school tier care services via liaison and consultation service, it will focus on assessment of children with significant developmental and behavioural problems and recommend tier 2 (Early Education and Training Centre (EETC), Integration Placement in Child Care Centre, On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services (OPRS)) or tier 3 (Special Child Care Centre (SCCC), special school) training services for them.
- In view of the lack of relevant paediatrics specialists in the private sector in Hong Kong, the proposal of providing financial aid to parents for seeking professional assessment in the private market may not be feasible in the short to medium term.
Rehabilitation services
- Clinical Psychologists (CPs) of SWD kept rendering support to parents and caregivers of SEN children through the pandemic. Regularly scheduled online psychological support groups were conducted to monitor the needs of caregivers and provided them timely consultation. Treatment groups via Zoom meeting with specified foci, such as parent-child playtime and mindful parenting, were also designed to address the parenting stress experienced during the pandemic. CPs also produced various psycho-educational materials, such as tips for self-care and adjustment during pandemic and these materials were uploaded on the YouTube channel of SWD for viewing of caregivers of children with SEN and other service recipients at their preferred time.
- Services are all along provided for supporting parents/carers in pre-school rehabilitation services, including EETC, SCCC and OPRS. Besides, 65 IFSCs and 2 ISCs provide the required services, including family life education, groups and programmes, as well as support and emotional counselling, etc. for the parents so as to relieve their stress, equip them with parenting skills, enhance their support network and provide crisis intervention services, etc.
- To foster the development of children upon the resumption of normalcy, the subvented pre-school rehabilitation services have resumed the centre-based training since 16 May 2022. The SCCCs have also resumed half-day classroom training and gradually resumed whole-day classroom training from 15 February 2023 onwards.
Monitoring of and support for special schools
- EDB has all along been playing a monitoring role, exercising the statutory power conferred by the Education Ordinance to monitor the operation of special schools (including their boarding sections as appropriate) and providing professional advice and support for schools with a view to ensuring the respective management and operation are in compliance with laws and regulations to safeguard the well-being of students and boarders, including those with mental health issues.
- In 2021, EDB compiled the “Practice Guide for Special Schools on Planning and Managing Boarding Service” (Practice Guide) to assist special schools in planning and managing the services of their boarding sections in a more systematic way to better support boarders in respect of daily care, living safety, learning support, socialisation and transition arrangements. EDB has set up a working group to review the Practice Guide in a holistic manner, with a view to providing more detailed, specific and clear guidelines. It is anticipated that the review could be completed in the 2023/24 school year.
- EDB will continue to strengthen the monitoring of and support for special schools and their boarding sections, review the implementation of relevant measures and listen to the views of the sector and different stakeholders, so as to further enhance the existing measures.
Arrangements for hospitalised children
- HA has all along supported pro‐child and pro‐family practices. For instance, HA paediatricians will accommodate the needs of the hospitalised children and their families, including facilitating accompanying arrangement, as far as possible.
- Following the resumption of normalcy, HA has resumed the hospital play therapy services in Q4 2022.