The Government today said a total of about $100 million has been granted to 70 mental health projects as it announced the results of phase one of the Mental Health Initiatives Funding Scheme.

The scheme aims to enhance the mental well-being of citizens in the community through various services and programmes. The approved projects under phase one will be launched during February to April for a duration of nine to 24 months.

The Chief Executive announced in the 2020 Policy Address that $300 million will be earmarked under the Beat Drugs Fund to raise public awareness of mental health and provide better support to the community's needy.

The Advisory Committee on Mental Health is responsible for co-ordinating the scheme while its project assessment panel assesses the applications and makes recommendations for approval by the committee, the Government explained.

A total of 117 applications were received in the scheme’s first phase.

It added that approved projects will enhance the mental well-being of citizens in various areas, including training lay leaders in the community, strengthening carer support and providing information technology support for the elderly to enhance their connection with family and friends.

The scheme will be carried out in two phases. Details about the second phase will be announced in the second half of this year.

Click here for the list of phase one approved projects.