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The EOC Announces Findings from the Study Titled “Identifying Effective Approaches to Reduce Public Opposition in the Siting of Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness and Other Mental Health Facilities”

29/05/2019

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) today (29 May 2019) released the findings from the study titled “Identifying Effective Approaches to Reduce Public Opposition in the Siting of Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness (ICCMWs) and Other Mental Health Facilities” which was commissioned to the Department of Applied Social Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, the EOC Chairperson, explained the purpose of the Study: “As a follow-up to the research titled ‘Study on the Challenges Encountered in the Siting of Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness and other Social Welfare Facilities in Hong Kong’ conducted by the EOC in 2016, the study examines issues related to siting and public consultation associated with the establishment of ICCMWs via interviews with key informants from a wider range of different sectors and the review of relevant documents and practices both in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions. I would like to express my gratitude for the participation and valuable opinions given by key informants in this study, including Legislative Councillors and District Councillors, all District Social Welfare Officers, resident representatives, community volunteers, and ICCMW service users.”

The study aims to understand the rationales for supporting and opposing the siting of ICCMWs, examine public preferences for conflict resolution options, evaluate the feasibility of different consultation approaches, identify effective ways to reduce public opposition, and recommend possible approaches to public consultation and successful siting.

Since October 2010, ICCMWs have been providing one-stop, district-based community support services for discharged mental health patients, persons with suspected mental health problems, their families/carers, and residents living in the serving districts. The siting of the ICCMWs has been a challenge since the commencement of the service, associated mainly with community opposition due to negative public perceptions of persons with mental illness and public fear over disturbances caused by service users to the nearby neighbourhoods. As of April 2019, only 15 of the 24 ICCMWs were located in permanent premises. Six of them were operating in temporary sites despite having secured permanent premises while the remaining three have not identified any suitable permanent premises.

The study found that the public is in opposition of ICCMWs and other mental health facilities partly due to the existing requirements. ICCMWs are classified as “Group B Sensitive Community Facilities” in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG), a Government manual of criteria for determining the scale, location and site requirements of various land uses and facilities formulated by the Planning Department. They are in the same category as the special medical and health clinics, as well as hostels and day centres for discharged mental patients and severely mentally handicapped persons.

The HKPSG stipulates that integrating Group B facilities within local communities rather than segregation should be encouraged in the siting process to meet social objectives and the policy of rehabilitation. However, while the definition of Group B mentioned above singles out “hostels and day centres for discharged mental patients and severely mentally handicapped persons”, facilities for other persons with disabilities are not specified. This reflects discrimination against people with mental illnesses and discharged patients, as they are being treated as “special groups”.

Dr Ferrick CHU Chung-man, Acting Chief Operations Officer of the EOC, said, “If public consultations on the siting of ICCMWs or other mental health facilities are conducted in accordance with the current framework, service users are subject to stigmatization. The EOC recommends that such specification of mental health facilities to be removed from the HKPSG. It should also state clearly that ICCMWs are not inpatient or outpatient clinic, or any kind of hostel, but a support platform for patients who are rehabilitated and all community members looking for information and advice on mental wellness. We strive to remove the stigma of mental illness and create a more open, diverse and inclusive society.”

Other recommendations made by the EOC in the study include:

In-depth neighbourhood studies and cohesive engagement at the commencement of public consultation
Development of a public consultation protocol for the siting of ICCMWs
Stronger legal measures
Prior planning and zoning in future development
Continuous enhancement of community education on mental health and receptiveness towards service users

For details of the Study, please click the following link:
http://www.eoc.org.hk/EOC/upload/ResearchReport/20195291241281990171.pdf

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Equal Opportunities Commission

29 May 2019