In 2016, the incidence of student suicide in Hong Kong increased sharply, generating widespread public concern. In response, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at The University of Hong Kong and multiple non-governmental organizations (NGOs), explored new approaches to supporting at-risk youth.

Following extensive consultation and reference to international best practices, it was decided to establish an online counseling platform rooted in Hong Kong and conducted primarily in Cantonese. The platform was designed to provide young people with a safe, confidential, and accessible space to share their difficulties and seek timely assistance.

Since 2018, the platform has been jointly operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong, Caritas Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. Adopting a “One Team” model, these organizations transcended institutional boundaries, leveraging their respective strengths to maximize social impact.

To meet growing service demand, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the operating partners accelerated the implementation of “OpenUp 2.0,” strengthening manpower resources, enhancing digital transformation, and advancing the application of artificial intelligence (AI). By combining big data and AI, OpenUp has developed into a more comprehensive and effective digital counseling platform.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform played a pivotal role, demonstrating the critical importance of online counseling. The Trust introduced additional resources and innovative concepts during this period, further extending the platform’s reach and effectiveness. To date, more than 200 primary and secondary schools have participated in Gatekeeper Training. Additional resources have also enabled the platform to provide technical support to other organizations, helping them reduce development costs.

Since 2020, Hong Kong Children & Youth Services and St. James’ Settlement have joined the operating team, further advancing the platform’s capacity in AI and big data development. In 2025, OpenUp reached another significant milestone. With recognition from the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr. Chris Sun, of the importance of digital initiatives in social welfare development, resources have been optimized to integrate OpenUp with online outreach services. This has created a more holistic online counseling network, extending benefits to an even larger number of young people.

The development of OpenUp has provided valuable insights into both the challenges and advantages of online counseling, offering important experience for the continued advancement of social welfare organizations under Hong Kong’s digitalization agenda. Looking ahead, it is hoped that more institutions will harness digital technologies to further strengthen support for the mental health and well-being of young people.