Safeguarding Healthy Minds

“I was scared of not being able to sleep. The more I feared it, the harder it was to fall asleep. I tossed and turned all night, like a fish being fried,” said Mr Lai, a retired truck driver who suffered from insomnia for over 10 years.

Irregular work hours led to exhausting days, dizziness and headaches that followed the sleepless nights.

The heavy toll eventually began confining him to his home, unable to enjoy his hobbies like singing and dancing.

“I knew taking sleeping pills was bad for my health. My memory was getting worse. I tried taking one pill, but if I woke up in the middle of the night, I would take another. If I still could not sleep, I would take more.”

Cycle ending

Seeking a way out of his struggle, Mr Lai visited the Tuen Mun District Health Centre last year for a mental health risk assessment under the Healthy Mind Pilot Project.

The results indicated symptoms of psychological distress and he was referred to the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association for follow-up.

Well-being Practitioner Yung Ka-yi said Mr Lai showed mild obsessive thoughts about sleep.

“He was told by his mind to change his posture when he was lying in his bed. He might also be asked to go to the washroom frequently, but in fact, he knew that it did not make sense,” she explained.

To address his chronic insomnia, the pilot project tailored a programme of low-intensity psychological therapy for Mr Lai. Over five sleep therapy sessions, he learned to correct persistent misconceptions.

“Many people believe they must get eight hours of sleep every night, which only causes anxiety and disrupts sleep,” Ms Yung explained.

The sleep therapy also taught Mr Lai to improve his sleep routine.

“Only go to bed when you truly feel sleepy,” Ms Yung advised. “If you are unable to fall asleep within 30 minutes, leave your bed to relax until you feel sleepy again, then try going back to bed.”

Mr Lai also attended six mindfulness therapy sessions, where he mastered relaxation techniques that could be done anywhere, anytime.

After six months, Mr Lai was finally able to get a good night’s sleep.

“I am so happy I can sleep until morning now. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, but after practising deep breathing, I can fall back asleep,” adding that his wife and kids were astonished and said “You just went to bed, and you are already snoring!” - something that had never happened before.

Early intervention

In August 2024, the Health Bureau partnered with the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and Mind HK to launch the Healthy Mind Pilot Project in Tuen Mun District Health Centre, Eastern and Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre Expresses.

During health risk assessments, members of District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses also complete a mental health questionnaire to screen for depression and anxiety risks. Those in need are referred to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for further assessments and follow-ups.

Yeung Tsui-yee, a clinical psychologist participating in the project noted that it has been instrumental in the early identification of, and intervention for, emotional health issues. Through low-intensity psychological therapy, participants learn to adjust thoughts and behaviours in their daily lives, helping them manage mild symptoms of depression or anxiety.

“We help them build up a more balanced life that is balanced between routine, pleasurable and important tasks to help them improve their mood and to maintain their daily functioning. For dealing with worries, this method is to help them notice that worry is here and it is affecting me, and we teach them skills to help them refocus.”

Psychological support

As of February 2026, about 48,800 individuals have undergone initial mental health assessments, of whom about 3,700 required further assessment.

Including those referred by NGOs, over 7,000 individuals have completed further assessments.

Of those evaluated, approximately 2,500 people were found to have normal emotional health.

Around 240 required referrals to specialised or high-intensity mental health services, while the remaining eligible participants could be arranged to receive low-intensity psychological therapy.

The project will gradually expand to nine district health centres starting this year.