【明報專訊】A FAMILY TRAGEDY that reflects inadequate support for mentally handicapped adults has again raised public concern about the difficulties faced by their carers. Because of the shortage of hostels for moderately and severely mentally handicapped people, the waiting time for hostel care can exceed ten years in Hong Kong. Some adults with intellectual disability are unable to look after themselves and need their family to provide round-the-clock care, leaving their carers exhausted both physically and psychologically. The suspension of day care service amid the pandemic has added to their plight. For those who also have to look after young children or aged family members, the psychological stress could become unbearably huge and easily put them in a loop of negative thoughts. The protracted pandemic has affected many social welfare services. Service centres either have to be closed or can only provide limited services, affecting not only mentally handicapped people but also physically disabled individuals, the old and the weak. Their carers are often in a state of helplessness. The government must provide more support to alleviate their stress.