XN000022-1985-01-12 — Page 5

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 198

MORE SERVICES PLANNED FOR THE MENTALLY ILL

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THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING MORE SOCIAL CENTRES, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL

ILLNESS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR NEIL HENDEROJ . SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE CENTRES WOULD PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES DESIGNED TO RE-INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY.

SPEAKING AT A MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION AT THE SHA TIN NEA TOWN PLAZA, HE SAID EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS.

+THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH ON ONE HAND, AND ON THE OTHER, TO CREATE A CARING COMMUNITY WHICH NOT ONLY ACCEPTS BUT OFFERS ACTIVE ASSISTANCE TO THE LESS FORTUNATE IN OUR SOCIETY, HE SAID.

HE SAID THAT WHILE THE MENTALLY ILL WERE UNDERGOING A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF TREATMENT, THEY WERE VERY MUCH IN NEED OF UNDERSTANDING, SUPPORT AND CARE FROM THE IR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND THE COMMUNITY.

+SUCH SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL TO RE-ESTABLISH THEIR SELF- CONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE AND ENTHUSIASM FOR LIFE, HE STRESSED.

HE SAID THE EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE AND THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, WOULD PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENT TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM DAILY AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, 4TH FLOOP.

ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY'S OPENING CEREMONY WERE A CHINESE UNIVERSITY PSYCHIATRIST, PROFESSOR C.N. CHEN, AND THREE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR NG CHAN-LAM, MR WAI HON-LEUNG AND MR WONG PO-MING.

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