The Government has launched an on-going mental health promotion and public education initiative named “Shall We Talk” since July 2020. Through an array of traditional and emerging publicity channels, the initiative reaches out to all walks of life, with an aim to promote mental health and eliminate stigmatisation towards persons with mental health needs, in order to build a mental health friendly community. The objectives of the initiatives are to: i) to step up public engagement in promoting mental well-being; ii) to enhance public awareness of mental health with a view to encouraging help-seeking and early intervention; and iii) to reduce stigma towards people with mental health needs.
According to experience of other jurisdictions, changing the public’s perception and attitude on mental health issues is best undertaken by a phased approach. Shall We Talk is therefore divided into three phases with different focus. The focus of the first phase was to increase public awareness of mental well-being which was completed in August 2021. The initiative is now in the second phase that the focus is to encourage help-seeking and early intervention, and to reduce stigma towards persons with mental health needs.
"Shall We Talk" has a one-stop dedicated website which provides the public with information on mental health and advice on dealing with mental distress as well as a list of mental health hotlines and support services, making it easier for those in need to seek help. “Shall We Talk” also has its social media fanpages including Facebook and Instagram, and has launched key opinion leader social media campaigns. Through the engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, online and offline activities were conducted to promote mental health targeting different groups including television programs, interactive art, community and school events, and workplace programmes, etc.
