TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan plans to continue its mental health support initiative in 2027, with NT$429 million (US$13.5 million) proposed for the effort, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Sunday.
Launched in August 2024, the scheme provides people aged 15 to 45 with three free counseling sessions. The allocation is expected to benefit about 100,000 people next year, according to UDN Money and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The service was introduced as suicide rates among young and middle-aged people have risen in recent years. Health ministry figures point to growing psychological strain linked to the demands of fast-paced modern life, according to Health News.
The 15-to-45 age group encompasses several major life transitions, from education and entering the workforce to relationships and starting a family. Clinical psychologist Hsu Chun-wei (許峻維) said common concerns discussed in counseling include daily stress, interpersonal and romantic conflicts, academic and workplace demands, and difficulties related to career changes. Symptoms of depression and anxiety are also frequently reported.
Hsu said psychologists and psychiatrists are among the professionals involved in the initiative. The three free sessions are designed to allow participants to discuss their difficulties and, when necessary, connect them with appropriate social resources.
The service is available to Taiwanese citizens aged 15 to 45 as well as foreigners eligible for Taiwan's National Health Insurance. Eligible individuals can make appointments by phone or inquire about the service directly at participating medical institutions, Hsu said.
More than 80,000 people had used the service by the end of October 2025, receiving more than 200,000 counseling sessions. The number of participating institutions had also increased from 523 when the scheme launched to 616.
Funding for the initiative is included in the Cabinet's recently proposed NT$3.9 trillion central government budget for 2027. The package includes more than NT$1 trillion each for national defense, social welfare, and local governments, along with additional allocations for 10 major areas, including cash payouts, population policies, and public infrastructure, according to Capital Futures.
