Hong Kong children wait more than a year for mental health treatment as list increases to 27,000
Average wait up by more than two thirds in two years
Children suffering from autism, attention deficit disorder and other mental health conditions have to wait 141/ 2 months on average for treatment at Hong Kong’s public clinics – up from 81/ 2 months just two years ago.
The revelation highlights a severe lack of psychiatric services for children despite more of them requiring treatment.
The number needing help was up 15 per cent in two years to 27,740, according to the latest Hospital Authority data submitted to the Legislative Council.
Mrs Cheung is one of many parents left in limbo by the system. She described her “endless wait” for treatment for Chi, her four-year-old autistic son.
“I sometimes feel very lost for my son,” she said. “He might cry crazily without any reason all of a sudden and roll on the floor.”
Chi was diagnosed with autism in 2014 and referred to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po, where he was scheduled to see a psychiatrist in November this year.
