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About 10% of the elderly in Hong Kong have symptoms of depression. Faced with life pressures, a decline in their physical abilities, decreased social activities and other issues, the elderly are more vulnerable to emotional distress. This affects their mental health and puts them at increased risk for depression.

To address the needs of an ageing population and to enhance mental health among older people, JC JoyAge: Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness (JC JoyAge) launched Phase II of its work. By extending coverage of its community-based support network to all 18 districts from four pilot ones and by fostering 5,000 new mental health first aiders, JC JoyAge aims to promote active ageing in the community.
A launch ceremony for Phase II and an international symposium were held online recently. Industry experts were encouraged to share and discuss ways to utilise technology to improve mental health services for older people.

JC JoyAge was initiated in 2016 by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a total approved funding of over HK$366 million. The seven-year project aims to promote mental wellness of the elderly by combatting depression, and to raise public awareness of mental health literacy. It is partnering with The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and NGOs to provide a community-based support network for the elderly.

Satisfactory results in prevention and intervention during Phase I

In Phase I of the project from 2016 to 2019, JC JoyAge was implemented in four pioneer districts – Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po and Tseung Kwan O, where it enhanced the capacity of professionals in the field as well as non-professionals, and recruited elderly volunteers and provided them with training for them to become ‘Peer Supporters’ to promote the mental health of the older generation.

Results of Phase I are highlighted below:

• Outreach occurred to 101,000 older adults. Preventive care and intervention were provided to more than 4,300 older adults at-risk or with depressive symptoms, resulting in improved conditions for over 98% of the beneficiaries.
• The mean score for depression significantly declined by more than half from the baseline, while the anxiety and loneliness level was reduced by nearly half. Participation in social and recreational activities by older adults also increased.
• The JC JoyAge service achieved remarkable results: 5.7 times more effective in terms of successful prevention, and more than 3.5 times more effective in terms of successful treatment compared with traditional services.

Extending reach to all 18 districts in Phase II and fostering 5,000 mental health first aiders in four years

With the satisfactory results shown in Phase I, Phase II will be implemented to extend coverage to all 18 districts from 2020 to 2023. The project will partner with 42 community centres for mental wellness and district elderly community centres, and launch a new ‘Ambassadors’ programme with the aim of fostering 5,000 new elderly volunteers who will be trained through a certificate course in Mental Health First Aid (Older Person).

By broadening the number of volunteers equipped with mental wellness knowledge, JC JoyAge aims to encourage people from all walks of life to look out for and provide initial support to older adults who have depressive symptoms or are at risk, with the ultimate goal of improving mental wellness in the community. 

For more details, please visit http://www.jcjoyage.hk/.