Supporting the mental health of adults from Hong Kong
Guidance, training and further resources for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adults from Hong Kong.
Guidance, training and further resources for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adults from Hong Kong.
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Moving to a new country can be exciting, but also stressful. If you are struggling with your mental health in the UK, you are not alone — and there is help available.
Below is a guide to the main ways adults can access mental health support through the NHS (National Health Service) and other organisations.
Start with Your GP
Your GP (General Practitioner or sometimes known as family doctor) is usually the first place to go.
You can talk to your GP about how you are feeling. They can:
- Listen and give advice.
- Prescribe medication available through the NHS, if needed.
- Refer you to counselling, therapy, or specialist services.
NHS Talking Therapies
In England, there is a free service called NHS Talking Therapies (sometimes still called IAPT) for anxiety, stress, depression.
You do not always need a GP referral — you can refer yourself online.
They offer:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
- Guided self-help.
- Group therapy and counselling.
Talking therapies is often best for mild to moderate problems like anxiety, low mood, or stress.
You can find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression online.
Specialist Mental Health Services
If your needs are more serious or complex, you may be referred to secondary care, such as:
- Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs): provide ongoing support for conditions like bipolar disorder, psychosis, or severe depression.
- Specialist teams: This includes, for example, services for eating disorders, psychosis, addictions, or perinatal mental health (support during pregnancy and after birth).
To access these services, you normally need a referral from your GP.
Urgent and Crisis Help
If you need urgent help for your mental health:
- Call NHS 111 (select mental health option) to speak to a mental health professional. Or use NHS111 online.
- Contact your local NHS crisis team (details are on your local NHS Trust website).
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
Other sources of support
- The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time.
- General Mental Health charities and helplines (such as Samaritans, Mind, or Rethink Mental Illness) provide free, confidential support.
- Charities and community organisations helping people from Hong Kong – see below for information on what they can offer.
- Workplace Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs): if your employer offers this, you can access free counselling and advice.
- Private therapy or psychiatry: available more quickly, but you must pay.
Hong Kong focussed charities and community organisations
You might want to contact the following organisations by and for people in Hong Kong living in London:
[TO BE ADDED]
Summary
- First step: Talk to your GP.
- Mild to moderate issues: Self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.
- More complex needs: GP referral to specialist mental health services.
- Crisis: Call 111 (select mental health option), 999, or go to A&E.
- Extra support: Charities, helplines, or private options.