Clinical Psychological Services

OBJECTIVES

6.1

The Clinical Psychologists of the SWD diagnose and treat clients who have psychological or psychiatric problems, aiming to ameliorate their distress and restore their functioning. The Clinical Psychologists also provide clinical consultation and training to allied professionals and public education on mental health issues.

SERVICE PROVISION

CASEWORK SERVICE

6.2

As at 31 March 2017, there were 59 Clinical Psychologists in the SWD. They were posted to five Clinical Psychology Units of the Clinical Psychological Service Branch serving the whole territory. They received referrals mainly from integrated family service centres, family and child protective services units, probation and community service orders offices and medical social services units. Through the Central Psychological Support Services (CPSS), Clinical Psychologists also provided clinical case consultation, staff and parent trainings for pre-school centres as well as adult rehabilitation units operated by NGOs.

6.3

Children and adolescents formed the main client group served by the Clinical Psychologists. They were often victims of physical or sexual violence, cases for custody evaluation, or individuals presenting behavioural or emotional problems which were psychological in origin. Adults were seen for a variety of reasons ranging from mood disorders, chronic difficulties in interpersonal relationships, adjustment problems, sexual deviations and various forms of offences against the law. Some others might be perpetrators or victims in cases of domestic violence. The breakdown of referrals by age for 2015-16 and 2016-17 are shown respectively in Charts 9 and 10 below:

Chart 9:Breakdown of Referrals by Age (2015-16)

Chart 10:Breakdown of Referrals by Age (2016-17)

6.4

In 2015-16, the Clinical Psychologists conducted 1 981 psychological or intellectual assessments and 19 145 treatment sessions, serving a total of 2 026 new cases. For 2016-17, 2 253 assessments and 19 501 treatment sessions were conducted, serving a total of 2 431 new cases.

CENTRAL PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

6.5

The following tables show the service figures for the CPSS for rehabilitation units in 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively:
CPSS (Adult) Summary Statistics	2015-16	2016-17
No. of Centres Served	52	52
No. of Cases Served	134	135
No. of Clinical Visits	913	915
No. of Clinical Consultation	1 215	1 239
No. of Service Consultation	123	110
No. of Training (for Workers)	31	24
No. of Parent Education Sessions	4	0

CPSS (Pre-school) Summary Statistics	2015-16	2016-17
No. of Centres Served	227	227
No. of Cases Served (New Cases)	632	621
No. of Clinical Visits	1 122	1 265
No. of Clinical Consultation	607	716
No. of Service Consultation	298	307
No. of Training (for Workers)	73	90
No. of Parent Education Sessions	238	232

6.6

Through the CPSS, Clinical Psychologists provide consultation and training to staff of rehabilitation units. Parent groups and parent training sessions are also offered to help parents better manage problems presented by their children with disabilities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PERIOD

CRISIS INTERVENTION

6.7

Apart from rendering direct clinical services, the Clinical Psychologists of the SWD are also the largest group of mental health professionals involved in providing psychological support, such as critical incident stress management and psychological first aid to the survivors, their families and the community at large after natural or man-made disasters.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

6.8

In addition to involvement in direct services, the Clinical Psychologists of the SWD have been very active in preventive work through giving talks or conducting training on the subjects of mental health, stress management, resilience, positive psychology and mindfulness.

6.9

In 2015-2017, through Operation Silver Lining, Clinical Psychologists continue to answer media questions on mental health issues. They also published various books and pamphlets for public education on mental health.

6.10

The following table shows the relevant statistics on public education:

Public Education Summary Statistics	2015-16	2016-17
No. of publications (books, pamphlets)	2	3
No. of talks/training (for the general public as well as for allied professionals)	107	108
Media enquiries (Operation Silver Lining)	22	4

STAFF CARE AND SUPPORT

6.11

The Clinical Psychologists provide various stress management training, resilience building, positive psychology, mindfulness training and psychological treatment when necessary to fellow staff of the SWD to help them better cope with increasing workload and work stress.