Living in a fast-paced city like Hong Kong is exciting but the constant pressure to keep up can take a toll. Long hours, demanding workloads and the expectation to always be switched on can leave you feeling drained and may even lead to burnout.
But that doesn’t mean you have to wait till you reach that stage to do something about it.
There’s always the option of speaking to a professional or simply finding reliable information on how to cope. Whether you need someone to talk to, practical advice or professional counselling, there are plenty of friendly mental health resources around the city.
From free services to professional therapy, here are five places to consider.
1. Mind HKMind HK provides accessible information about mental health and maintains a community directory of non-urgent mental health services in Hong Kong, making it easy to find support that suits your needs. Rather than a single counselling service, Mind HK can help point you to appropriate options. Start with a free 45 minute consultation, find a crisis hotline, or get online support. While Mind HK doesn’t provide individual counselling, its resources can help you understand what you’re experiencing and find appropriate support in Hong Kong.
– Location: 18/F, One Capital Place, 18 Luard Road, Wan Chai
– Nearest MTR: Wan Chai, Exit A1
– Services: Mental health information, resources, community directory and support programmes
– Price range: Free; individual services listed in the directory may charge fees
– Opening hours: 10am-6pm (Mon-Fri)
– Instagram: @mindhongkong
2. St John’s Cathedral Counselling Service
Non-profit service St John’s Cathedral Counselling Service (SJCCS) provides professional counselling to the wider Hong Kong community, regardless of nationality, religion or residence status, making it an ideal choice if you’re an expat. It has more than 40 qualified counsellors, therapists, clinical social workers and psychologists who can help with everything from stress, anxiety to relationship difficulties, workplace challenges and sleep problems.
Sessions are available in-person and online in over 15 languages such as English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese and Tagalog. As the team doesn’t have counsellors on-standby, it’s necessary to book an appointment via phone, email or form.
– Location: 10/F, Two Chinachem Plaza, 68 Connaught Road Central, Central
– Nearest MTR: Central, Exit B
– Services: Individual, couples and family counselling; psychotherapy; relationship and parenting counselling; workplace and other support programmes
– Price range: Affordable fees, contact SJCCS for rates
– Opening hours: 9am-9pm (Mon-Sat), Sun and PH by special arrangement, counselling sessions by appointment only
– Instagram: @sjc_counselling_service
3. The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong
Sometimes you don’t need a long-term counselling plan, but someone to talk to right now. The Samaritan Befrienders provides a free confidential 24-hour multilingual hotline for individuals experiencing emotional distress — there’s absolutely no pressure or judgement, and you can speak to someone in a language you’re comfortable with. It also offers a 24-hour befriending email service as well as crisis intervention services, community outreach and education programmes.
– Location: Units 126-127, Kam Wah House, Choi Hung Estate, Kowloon
– Nearest MTR: Choi Hung, Exit C4
– Services: 24-hour multilingual emotional support and suicide prevention hotline, befriending email service
– Price range: Contact The Samaritan Befrienders for rates
If you’re looking for private, professional counselling, Central Minds offers psychology and therapy services in the heart of Central. Its psychologists and counsellors work with issues including anxiety, depression, stress and burnout. Sessions are available in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and the clinic offers online therapy if face-to-face appointments are too challenging to make.
Additionally, the organisation has years of experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds on employee assistance programmes and bespoke mental health training, signalling that employee well-being is a strong priority.
– Location: Unit 2001,Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell Street, Central
– Nearest MTR: Central, Exit G
– Services: Individual psychotherapy, counselling, couples and family therapy, CBT, mindfulness-based therapies
– Price range: HK$1,600 - $2,800 per session, depending on the therapist; more affordable options are available with recent graduate therapists
ReSource is a charitable, non-denominational centre that makes help easily accessible as its services are based on monthly household income.
The first two sessions currently cost HK$100 each, with subsequent fees calculated accordingly, making it an affordable option if you find private therapy too expensive.
It provides counselling services in 10 languages and covers issues ranging from anxiety and stress to relationship difficulties and family concerns. Sessions are held face-to-face or online, so you don’t need to worry about fitting them into a packed schedule.
– Location: Unit 701, China Hong Kong Tower, 8-12 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
– Nearest MTR: Wan Chai, Exit A3
– Services: Individual, couple and family counselling; support for anxiety, depression, stress, grief and other concerns
– Price range: Sliding scale based on family income; first two sessions are HK$100 each
Navigating mental health can be daunting but you don't have to figure everything out alone. Whether you need a listening ear or are ready to explore longer-term counselling, asking for help is a good first way to start looking out for yourself.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional health advice.
Living in a fast-paced city like Hong Kong is exciting but the constant pressure to keep up can take a toll. Long hours, demanding workloads and the expectation to always be switched on can leave you feeling drained and may even lead to burnout.
But that doesn’t mean you have to wait till you reach that stage to do something about it.
There’s always the option of speaking to a professional or simply finding reliable information on how to cope. Whether you need someone to talk to, practical advice or professional counselling, there are plenty of friendly mental health resources around the city.
From free services to professional therapy, here are five places to consider.
1. Mind HKMind HK provides accessible information about mental health and maintains a community directory of non-urgent mental health services in Hong Kong, making it easy to find support that suits your needs. Rather than a single counselling service, Mind HK can help point you to appropriate options. Start with a free 45 minute consultation, find a crisis hotline, or get online support. While Mind HK doesn’t provide individual counselling, its resources can help you understand what you’re experiencing and find appropriate support in Hong Kong.
– Location: 18/F, One Capital Place, 18 Luard Road, Wan Chai
– Nearest MTR: Wan Chai, Exit A1
– Services: Mental health information, resources, community directory and support programmes
– Price range: Free; individual services listed in the directory may charge fees
– Opening hours: 10am-6pm (Mon-Fri)
– Instagram: @mindhongkong
2. St John’s Cathedral Counselling Service
Non-profit service St John’s Cathedral Counselling Service (SJCCS) provides professional counselling to the wider Hong Kong community, regardless of nationality, religion or residence status, making it an ideal choice if you’re an expat. It has more than 40 qualified counsellors, therapists, clinical social workers and psychologists who can help with everything from stress, anxiety to relationship difficulties, workplace challenges and sleep problems.
Sessions are available in-person and online in over 15 languages such as English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese and Tagalog. As the team doesn’t have counsellors on-standby, it’s necessary to book an appointment via phone, email or form.
– Location: 10/F, Two Chinachem Plaza, 68 Connaught Road Central, Central
– Nearest MTR: Central, Exit B
– Services: Individual, couples and family counselling; psychotherapy; relationship and parenting counselling; workplace and other support programmes
– Price range: Affordable fees, contact SJCCS for rates
– Opening hours: 9am-9pm (Mon-Sat), Sun and PH by special arrangement, counselling sessions by appointment only
– Instagram: @sjc_counselling_service
3. The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong
Sometimes you don’t need a long-term counselling plan, but someone to talk to right now. The Samaritan Befrienders provides a free confidential 24-hour multilingual hotline for individuals experiencing emotional distress — there’s absolutely no pressure or judgement, and you can speak to someone in a language you’re comfortable with. It also offers a 24-hour befriending email service as well as crisis intervention services, community outreach and education programmes.
– Location: Units 126-127, Kam Wah House, Choi Hung Estate, Kowloon
– Nearest MTR: Choi Hung, Exit C4
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– Services: 24-hour multilingual emotional support and suicide prevention hotline, befriending email service
– Price range: Contact The Samaritan Befrienders for rates
If you’re looking for private, professional counselling, Central Minds offers psychology and therapy services in the heart of Central. Its psychologists and counsellors work with issues including anxiety, depression, stress and burnout. Sessions are available in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and the clinic offers online therapy if face-to-face appointments are too challenging to make.
Additionally, the organisation has years of experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds on employee assistance programmes and bespoke mental health training, signalling that employee well-being is a strong priority.
– Location: Unit 2001,Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell Street, Central
– Nearest MTR: Central, Exit G
– Services: Individual psychotherapy, counselling, couples and family therapy, CBT, mindfulness-based therapies
– Price range: HK$1,600 - $2,800 per session, depending on the therapist; more affordable options are available with recent graduate therapists
ReSource is a charitable, non-denominational centre that makes help easily accessible as its services are based on monthly household income.
The first two sessions currently cost HK$100 each, with subsequent fees calculated accordingly, making it an affordable option if you find private therapy too expensive.
It provides counselling services in 10 languages and covers issues ranging from anxiety and stress to relationship difficulties and family concerns. Sessions are held face-to-face or online, so you don’t need to worry about fitting them into a packed schedule.
– Location: Unit 701, China Hong Kong Tower, 8-12 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
– Nearest MTR: Wan Chai, Exit A3
– Services: Individual, couple and family counselling; support for anxiety, depression, stress, grief and other concerns
– Price range: Sliding scale based on family income; first two sessions are HK$100 each
Navigating mental health can be daunting but you don't have to figure everything out alone. Whether you need a listening ear or are ready to explore longer-term counselling, asking for help is a good first way to start looking out for yourself.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional health advice.
