Structured Gatekeeper Training for Teachers

Starting from the 2017/18 school year, the Education Bureau (EDB) has been providing teachers of primary and secondary schools with the “Professional Development Programme for Mental Health”, including 3-day elementary training for teachers at large and 5-day in-depth training for designated teachers, with a view to raising their awareness of mental health and enhancing their professional knowledge and skills to identify and support students with mental health needs.  Since the 2017/18 school year, the Learning Support Grant has covered students with mental illness in public primary and secondary schools.  From the 2021/22 school year, the EDB has incorporated the "Professional Development Programme for Mental Health" and related training requirements into the structured Basic, Advanced and Thematic (BAT) Courses so as to strengthen the completeness of the BAT Courses and provide more training places for teachers.  Schools could promote mental health directed at three levels, namely Universal, Selective and Indicated, amongst students and enhance the support for students with mental health needs (including those with suicidal risk).