Chief Executive Donald Tsang has called for community support for district-based integrated service centres for the mentally ill, to ensure patients get the rehabilitation they need for social reintegration.

Mr Tsang made the comment while visiting two social welfare facilities and a construction industry training centre in Tin Shui Wai today.

Community care: Chief Executive Donald Tsang visits the Wellness Centre and Construction Industry Council Training Centre in Tin Shui Wai.

Community asset

At the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Wellness Centre in Tin Chak Estate, he exchanged views with patients and their families.

Commissioned in March last year, the centre is the first to provide community support to mental-illness patients and their families. It had handled 480 cases by the end of July, provided 4,800 outreach services and organised 42 community-education events serving 4,900 participants.

The one-stop service model gives patients their required services within a shorter timeframe, Mr Tsang said, adding the integrated services will be expanded to all 18 districts.

"It is important mental patients and their families be provided with efficient services during their rehabilitation and integration into the community," he said. " I understand provision of this kind of integrated services centre in other areas has met with some local opposition, probably due to misunderstanding. Their operation will not have any adverse impact on the neighbourhood. Instead they will strengthen community relations. I earnestly appeal to every district to support these worthwhile projects."

Mr Tsang visited a neighbourhood support childcare project run by the Tin Shui Wai Women Association in Tin Yuet Estate. It provides parents with flexible childcare services while promoting community participation and mutual assistance in the neighbourhood.

He also visited the Construction Industry Council Training Centre at Tin Shui Wai Area 112 and encouraged trainees to join the industry.