Mental health services have been evolving in a more open and community-oriented manner, Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man says.
Speaking to reporters today after attending an open day at Castle Peak Hospital, Dr Ko said in the past many patients were treated in a closed environment, thereby creating a stigma against them.
He said mental healthcare professionals have been doing a lot of work to improve the situation, including establishing an institute of mental health at Castle Peak Hospital in 2002.
Promoting awareness and understanding of mental health to the public is one of the most important missions of the institute, he added.
