Gov’t ups investment to boost mental health support systems

Authorities in Macau have announced plans to expand the city’s mental health workforce in response to rising demand for psychiatric services and a concerning increase in suicide rates.

In a reply to lawmaker Ho Ion Sang’s interpellation, the Health Bureau (SSM) said that it would be increasing the number of professionals on its psychiatric services team, which currently stands at 97 – 10 more than in 2019.

This team includes psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and specialized nurses. However, the bureau acknowledged that more support is needed, with only 16 of the 95 health workers directly involved in public psychiatric services being psychiatrists, and 25 being psychotherapists.

“The SSM’s psychiatric services team, together with three psychiatrists and 55 psychotherapists working in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), can provide the necessary psychiatric services to the residents,” said SSM director, Alvis Lo.

The authorities are committed to training more mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, to strengthen the city’s suicide prevention and control network.

This initiative comes as Macau faces a worrying increase in mental health crises. In 2023, the city recorded 88 suicides – the highest number in the last decade. There were also 6,400 mental health consultations at health centers, a 30% increase from the previous year, and 3,400 psychological counseling sessions at NGOs. From 2016 to 2022, the Community Psychiatric Services team monitored 831 serious cases, nearly 200 of which were previously undetected.

“The increase in demand for this type of consultation and the rise in mental health problems is concerning,” Lo acknowledged. “We are committed to training more people in this field to extend the coverage of our prevention and control network.”

In December last year, SSM launched a new website to help residents with mental health-related issues. The Mental Health website includes a self-diagnostic test, contact details for community support services, tips on recognizing depression and reducing stress, and a section on video gaming addiction.

According to the statement, the website aims to eliminate misunderstandings around mental illness and encourage people to seek support when needed. The website is currently available in both Chinese and Portuguese languages.

By investing in a stronger mental health workforce, Macau hopes to better aid those struggling with mental health and address mental health cases in the city. Nadia Shaw