Free Counselling On Offer After Recent Tragedies

A group of volunteer professionals is set to offer free face-to-face counselling in Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong districts, with a particular focus on members of ethnic minority communities.

Organisers on Thursday said mental health support is needed following harrowing events in recent days, including the death on Monday of three children at a flat in Sham Shui Po and Friday's double knife murder at a mall in Diamond Hill.

Nearly 20 social workers, counsellors, psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists will collaborate with ethnic minority NGOs to deliver the counselling service for one to two months on behalf of the DAB and several community organisations.

Aruna Gurung, an advisor to the Hong Kong Nepalese Federation, said the service will help the ethnic minority community.

"Definitely they will help a lot. Of course, this service is very important for ethnic minorities," she said, adding that she hopes the service period can last longer.

Gurung said a language barrier has been preventing ethnic minority families from seeking help when they need it, adding that a free interpretation service in hospitals takes time to arrange.

"I hope in the health care service, the staff would be able to give them a message that you can contact those NGOs if you need help, those ethnic minority NGOs," she said.

"Then those NGOs will be able to help and solve their problems in a better way, in their own language."

A hotline will be set up on Friday for those interested in receiving counselling.