China to strengthen mental health services amid rising concerns

Web Desk | 10 months ago

HONG KONG – China’s National Health Commission (NHC) announced plans on Tuesday to improve the country’s mental health services between 2025 and 2027, in response to a growing number of mental health issues, particularly among children and adolescents.

China’s government aims to address gaps in the existing mental health infrastructure, including setting up a nationwide mental health hotline, establishing regional mental health centres, and developing specialized clinical services in the field. This move comes as mental health issues have gained significant attention following several violent incidents in 2024, including a series of stabbings and two car-ramming attacks.

According to the NHC, outpatient services for mental health and sleep disorders should be available in at least one hospital in each prefecture and city across the country by 2025. The country’s mental health crisis has become more apparent in recent years, with approximately 54 million people in China suffering from depression and around 41 million struggling with anxiety disorders, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The prevalence of depression among adolescents in China is estimated at around 2%, with experts warning that economic pressures are exacerbating the situation. As China’s economic growth slows and job opportunities become more uncertain, mental health issues are on the rise, particularly among the younger population. Experts attribute the increasing mental health challenges to the growing sense of insecurity amid the country’s economic changes.

Additionally, the NHC’s plans include having mental health educators in more than 95% of Chinese schools by the end of this year. This is part of a broader three-year national action plan initiated in 2023 to promote mental health education across the country.