The Ministry of Health and Welfare yesterday said it would invest NT$350 million (US$11.06 million) this year to continue its mental health support program, which offers three free psychological counseling sessions to people aged 15 to 45.
The program is also available to foreign nationals with a National Health Insurance card.
First launched on Aug. 1, 2023, the program aims to support mental health among young people.
Photo: Tsai Shu-yuan, Taipei Times
In its first year, the program helped more than 30,000 people aged 15 to 30, and sponsored more than 80,000 counseling sessions.
The program was expanded to include people aged up to 45 on Aug. 1, 2024.
Since then, it has helped more than 80,000 people and sponsored more than 200,000 counseling sessions.
It now cooperates with 616 institutions to offer counseling, expanded from the original 523.
Participants have been highly satisfied with the program and their stress scores have declined, Department of Mental Health Director-General Chen Po-hsi (陳柏熹) said yesterday.
About one-third of participants were referred for follow-up services, including continued counseling or other psychiatric care, Chen said.
Participation is relatively evenly distributed by age, with people in each of three evenly divided age groups comprising about 30 percent, he said.
Not only has the program’s budget increased from NT$330 million to NT$350 million this year, but people who participated in 2024 or last year can participate again, Chen said.
Foreigners aged 15 to 45 with National Health Insurance are also eligible to participate and receive three free counseling sessions, he added.
To schedule an appointment, first search the program’s Web site to check the list of participating institutions with available slots, he said.
Then book an appointment with a participating institution and prepare your identification documents before attending the counseling session, he added.
Additional reporting by Lin Chih-yi
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