Department of Health, Taipei City Government

To strengthen local mental health support, the Nangang District Community Mental Health Center was officially unveiled in Taipei City on June 16th. Under the theme “Nangang Mental Health Center is here to help!”, the Center aims to raise awareness of the importance of mental health care and support. Deputy Mayor Yi-Hua Lin and Health Commissioner Chien-Hua Huang of the Taipei City Government and many other important voices from Nangang and Neihu districts presided over and attended the unveiling ceremony to witness this exceptionally meaningful moment and announce the official operations of this sixth mental health center of Taipei City.

After the operations of the Center begin, specialists including psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses, mental health social workers, and community care workers will enter the Center to provide professional mental health services for citizens in Nangang and Neihu districts in order to build a better-connected local mental health support network.

According to Deputy Mayor Lin, in response to the increasing need for mental health services of citizens, the Department of Health of Taipei City Government has been actively increasing the number and reach of mental health centers in the city to facilitate mental health specialists to walk into communities to provide citizens with diverse and local services, continuously expanding the community mental health network. After establishing the first community mental health center in Taiwan in Zhongzheng District, Taipei City Government has been establishing community mental health centers in Wanhua, Wenshan, Beitou, Xinyi, and Nangang districts based on the “1center for every 2 districts” policy to progressively optimize the mental health support system of Taipei City.

Additionally, with the funding of the Ministry of Health and Welfare through the “Young Adults Mental Health Support Program”, more than 130 contracted mental health institutions offer 3 free counseling sessions each year for young adults aged 15-45 in Taipei City; the offsite outpatient clinics of the Taipei City Hospital also offer counseling services at 13 locations in 12 districts of Taipei City to encourage citizens to seek help as needed.

According to the Department of Health, in addition to consulting and case services, community mental health centers also prepare talks and publicity events on different topics for citizens of different ages and from different social groups, hoping mental health centers could become a “good neighbor” and guardian angels of all citizens.

The Department of Health welcomes citizens and their families and friends to consult their nearest Taipei City Government community mental health center whenever they are in need of help.