The deputy head of the Psychiatry Services at Centro Hospitalar Conde de São Januário, Kwok Wai Tak, admitted today that the current pandemic context associated with lack of resources and economic difficulties may have contributed to the increase in suicides in Macau.
In response to a question from deputy Pereira Coutinho about the significant increase in the number of suicides throughout the year, namely 18 cases registered between July and September alone, Kwok Wai Tak acknowledged that both the pandemic and the lack of economic resources aggravated mental health different age groups of the population.
Questioned in the hemicycle about the number of human resources available to ensure the mental health of the population, the same official admitted the departure of many qualified staff in this area due to the reform, but also said that the Director of Health Services is already working to overcome the possible lack of psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors.
In response to deputies, Kwok Wai Tak also said that there are eight health centers in the territory that provide free mental health care to residents.
