1. What is a Crisis Situation?
A crisis can feel like the world is closing in, making it hard to think clearly or see a way forward. It’s any situation where you need urgent help—perhaps you’re struggling with overwhelming emotions, thoughts of harming yourself or others, or you’ve already hurt yourself. Seeking support right away can prevent things from worsening.
2. What You Can Do in a Crisis
When a mental health crisis strikes, it can feel overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to find support and regain stability. Below, we outline actions tailored to different levels of crisis, designed to suit Hong Kong’s fast-paced environment and cultural context. Whether you’re feeling distressed, having suicidal thoughts, or facing immediate danger, help is available. Taking the first step is a sign of strength, and you’re not alone.
If you feel able to talk but need support
- Reach out to someone you trust: Share your feelings with a friend, family member, or colleague who can listen without judgement. In Hong Kong, where cultural norms around “saving face” may make opening up challenging, please know that seeking help is a courageous act.
- Book a professional appointment: If it’s not an emergency, contact your general practitioner or a mental health professional for guidance and possible referrals.
- Use self-care techniques: Try deep breathing, stepping away from triggers, or engaging in a calming activity like a short walk in a park or listening to soothing music to help manage your emotions.
If you are feeling extremely distressed or having suicidal thoughts
- Call a crisis hotline: Reach out to one of Hong Kong’s 24-hour crisis hotlines (listed in Section 4) for immediate support. Trained professionals and volunteers are available to listen, provide emotional support, and connect you to resources. For example, The Samaritans (+852 2896 0000) offers multilingual support, including Cantonese, English, and more.
- Use online crisis services: If speaking feels difficult, try text-based platforms like Open Up (https://www.openup.hk/) for 24-hour support or Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong “ChatPoint” (https://chatpoint.org.hk) for online counselling.
- Reach out to a trusted person: If possible, contact someone close to you to stay with you or talk until the intensity subsides.
If you think you may act on suicidal feelings or have seriously harmed yourself
- Call 999 or visit the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department: If you’re in immediate danger or have already harmed yourself, dial 999 or go to the nearest A&E department. See this list of Hong Kong hospitals that have community psychiatric services for urgent care.
- Inform someone nearby: If you’re not alone, let someone know you need urgent help so they can assist you in getting to safety.
- Stay safe while waiting for help: Remove yourself from dangerous situations or objects, and try to focus on slow, deep breaths to stay as calm as possible.
Important Note: Crises can feel all-consuming, but they do pass. Reaching out for help, whether through a hotline, a trusted person, or emergency services, is a vital step toward recovery. In Hong Kong, resources are tailored to provide immediate and ongoing support—take that first step, and let these services guide you.
3. 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines
These hotlines provide round-the-clock, confidential support from trained professionals or volunteers, ready to help with any mental health emergency, no matter the time.
Mental Health Support Hotline (Government-run):
+852 18111
24-hour emotional support for the general public.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin
Mental Health Direct (Hospital Authority):
+852 2466 7350
24-hour mental health enquiry service, including emergency assistance, for patients with mental illness, their caregivers, and the general public.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
Suicide Prevention Hotline (The Samaritans):
+852 2896 0000
24-hour support for suicide prevention and emotional distress.
Available in Cantonese, English, Mandarin, and other languages.
Emotional Support Hotline (The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong):
+852 2389 2222
24-hour suicide prevention and emotional support.
Available in Cantonese.
Suicide Prevention Hotline (Suicide Prevention Services):
+852 2382 0000
24-hour suicide prevention with emotional support.
Available in Cantonese.
Elderly Suicide Prevention Hotline—Live Life! Hotline for Elderly (Suicide Prevention Services):
+852 2382 0881
24-hour suicide prevention with emotional support for the elderly.
Available in Cantonese.
Youth Suicide Prevention Hotline—Youth Link (Suicide Prevention Services):
+852 2382 0777
24-hour suicide prevention with emotional support for youth.
Available in Cantonese.
Youth Hotline Service (Youth Outreach):
+852 9088 1023
24-hour emotional support hotline for youth.
Available in Cantonese.
Family Crisis Hotline (Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre):
+852 18288
24-hour hotline answered by social workers for family crises.
Available in Cantonese.
Hotline for Carer Support (Government-run):
+852 182183
24-hour support manned by professional social workers.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
Pride Line (Tung Wah Group of Hospitals):
+852 2217 5959
24-hour support for the LGBT+ community, including emotional support, referrals, and group activities handled by social workers.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
Women Hotline (Harmony House):
+852 2522 0434
24-hour hotline for crisis intervention, counselling, and referrals for family violence victims who are women.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
Children Hotline (Harmony House):
+852 2751 8822
24-hour hotline for crisis intervention, counselling, and referrals for family violence victims who are children.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
Enquiries Hotline (Social Welfare Department):
+852 2343 2255
24-hour information support; emotional support during office hours.
Social worker on duty: Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sat 9:00am-12:00pm.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
4. Other Hotlines
For support during specific hours or targeted needs, these hotlines offer valuable assistance when you’re facing distress but not in immediate crisis.
EASY Hotline (Hospital Authority):
+852 2928 3283
24-hour enquiry and referral support for people experiencing early psychosis – having unusual beliefs (being targeted, being followed, being gossiped, etc.) or abnormal sounds/voices.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
English Emotional Support Hotline (The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong):
+852 2389 2223
Suicide prevention and emotional support for English speakers.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 6:30pm-10:00pm.
Available in English.
Consultation Hotline for Relatives and Friends of the Suicidal People (The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong):
+852 2319 1177
Support for friends and family of individuals in suicidal crisis.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-1:00pm, 2:00pm-6:00pm; Sat, Sun and public holidays 9:00am-1:00pm.
Available in Cantonese.
Emotional Support Hotline (Joyful Mental Health Foundation):
+852 2301 2303
Emotional support for the general public.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am-1:00pm, 2:00pm-5:00pm; Sat 10:00am-1:00pm.
Available in Cantonese.
MAN Hotline (Harmony House):
+852 2295 1386
Crisis intervention, counselling, and referrals for family violence victims who are men.
Operating hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00am-10:00pm; Tue, Thu, Sat 10:00am-6:00pm (excluding public holidays).
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
RainLily Hotline (Sexual Violence Crisis Centre):
+852 2375 5322
Support for victims of sexual violence.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-10:00pm; Sat 9:00am-1:00pm.
Available in Cantonese and English.
Call Mira: Helpline for Women and Girls in Crisis (The Zubin Foundation):
+852 9682 3100
Support for ethnic minority women and girls.
Operating hours: Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm (except public holidays).
Available in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
Teacher Helpline (Education Bureau):
+852 8100 3361
Emotional support hotline services for teaching staff and principals.
Operating hours: Mon-Sun 10:00am-10:00pm.
Available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
4. Other Non-Crisis Support
If your situation isn’t urgent but you’re still seeking ways to manage your mental health, these accessible options can provide ongoing support tailored to Hong Kong’s busy lifestyle—from quick chats to educational tools and professional sessions.
Mind HK’s free, one-time, 45-minute one-on-one session for anyone looking to better understand their current wellbeing status and emotional needs with our trained wellbeing practitioners.
Mind HK’s free 6-8 sessions of one-on-one psychological support for individuals experiencing mild to moderate depression and anxiety with our trained wellbeing practitioners.
Mind HK’s bilingual virtual assistant offering easy access to mental health support and information written by our clinical professionals.
24-hour service.
Free text-based counselling via website, WhatsApp/SMS (+852 9101 2012) or social media (@hkopenup).
24-hour service.
ChatPoint (The Samaritans Befrienders Hong Kong)
Free text-based counselling via website.
Mon – Fri: 4pm – 1am
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 4pm – 2am
Counseling@MHAHK Mobile App (The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong)
A mobile app with educational resources, immediate counselling, mini-games, self-tests, and assessments to promote mental health.
24-hour access.
Social worker on duty for counselling: Mon-Fri 2pm-10pm (excluding public holidays).
Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellbeing (ICCMWs):
One-stop, district-based centres offering multi-disciplinary professional help, including social workers and clinical psychologists. Find your local centre via the Social Welfare Department website..
Want to Explore Others? Learn more about other community resources on Mind HK Community Directory and connect yourself with one that works best for you.