title: Informal community care for mental health consumers in Hong Kong.
abstract: Informal community care is crucial in community integration and rehabilitation of people with mental illness. In this paper, the writer describes the development of informal community care in Hong Kong. A self-help group, a relative group, integrative aftercare network, and the use of volunteers will be described and analyzed. However, these informal community care projects are underdeveloped. Participation is limited. Community integration is greatly hindered by public discrimination. The writer also suggests ways to develop the informal community care projects in Hong Kong.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Social Studies, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon. ssksyip@polyu.edu.hk
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Yip
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006285:Health Planning; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D014838:Volunteers