FAQs
A: iACT® Service – PWP is a pilot scheme designed by Mind HK. We currently have an iACT® service to train practitioners to deliver a manualised intervention based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Manualised intervention refers to work through a standardised treatment programme with a client, tailor the treatment to the client’s presenting issues and individual needs. Each client will be given a workbook (in physical or digital format) so as to help them to learn new ideas and skills in handling their problems differently.
A: Without any postponement, the iACT® service will take around 3 months long. During the time you are receiving the service, you will be committed to attend all intervention sessions, in which you will be asked to fill out various questionnaires regularly to monitor your mental health conditions at different time intervals. You will also be invited to practise the ACT skills or relevant experiential exercises guided by your practitioner during the sessions. In addition, there are at-home practices and audio exercises in the client workbook to help you familiarise with the skills learnt. Your practitioner will review the at-home practices with you during the intervention sessions to make sure you have known how to apply various ACT skills in your daily lives.
A: This iACT® service is fully funded. Therefore, it is free of charge for eligible participants from September 2024 to June 2025.
A: English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
A: If you are an adult aged 18 – 65 who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression and emotional distress, while not currently or previously diagnosed with a severe or complex mental health condition, you are eligible to meet a practitioner.
A: No – iACT® Service is helpful for people experiencing these symptoms, but also designed as an opportunity for anyone who is undergoing any kind of difficulty – no matter how mild. The intervention aims to build skills that may assist them to cope better with any challenges they may overcome now or in the future.
*You may find more information regarding the treatment options and support in our Mind HK website via here.
A: iACT® services for youth is currently available at secondary schools. Please keep an eye out on our iACT® & Mind HK websites and social media platforms for further announcements.
A: Our iACT service is not appropriate for urgent or crisis situations.
If you are in a crisis, and/or having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, it is important to seek help immediately. Please visit Mind HK’s Find Help Now page for immediate resources and services available.
A: Before being referred to the iACT® Service, each potential client will fill out basic questionnaires and have an intake interview. This screening process ensures that only people who are suitable for the approach are referred. If the session is not a good fit for you after the intake assessment, Mind HK will provide other recommendations to ensure that you are safe and supported.
For adults that are suitable for the iACT® service, it is worth noting that all practitioners are trained on how to recognise and respond to safeguarding and risk issues. If there are any concerns raised during sessions, They have been instructed on responding to these, and tailoring their responses according to the urgency of the situation. They also have clinical support from experienced clinicians, either from Mind HK or our host organisations.
A: Your conversations with the practitioner are confidential. No information will be shared to any party without your consent, except when you present an imminent danger to yourself or to someone else, or if the practitioner is led to believe that you may be in imminent danger or risk.
A: The practitioners are closely supervised by experienced mental health professionals, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists. One-on-one supervision sessions will be held per week, and a group supervision session will be held once per month. They also receive support from host organisations and Mind HK within the entire placement period.
A: To address the shortage of mental health professionals, countries such as the UK and Australia have implemented task-shifting strategies. These strategies involve transferring low-intensity psychological interventions, aimed at individuals with mild to moderate depression and anxiety, to a newly trained workforce. By the end of 2024, Mind HK will have trained over 80 wellbeing practitioners, predominantly composed of psychology or counselling graduates or individuals with a keen interest in mental health.
Mind HK has meticulously developed a 120-hour minimum training curriculum in collaboration with both international and local experts. This training is conducted by accredited local scholars and mental health practitioners. To ensure clinical excellence, wellbeing practitioners in training are mandated to undergo regular supervision by clinical psychologists or other accredited mental health professionals during service provision. Furthermore, all outputs and outcomes are subject to consistent monitoring.
Practitioners who have completed the programme must adhere to a set of standards to maintain their title of iACT® practitioners. These standards include but are not limited to providing services at a reduced fee or on a pro-bono basis as well as participating in regular supervision and continuous professional development.
