BEIJING, Beijing, October 9 (Reporter Chun Li) Da-chuan Li, deputy director of the Department of Medical Administration of the National Health and Wellness Commission of China, said in Beijing on the 9th that positive progress has been made in the pilot work of the national social psychological service system, and 96% of villages and communities in the pilot areas, including 100% of colleges and nearly 95% of primary and secondary schools, have set up psychological counseling rooms or social studios.
On the occasion of the 32nd World Mental Health Day (October 10th, 2023), National Health Commission held a press conference on October 9th to introduce the situation of promoting children’s mental health, and called on the whole society to pay attention to the mental health of children and adolescents. Da-chuan Li said above at the press conference that day.
Talking about the work of health departments in China in promoting the mental health of children and adolescents, Da-chuan Li first mentioned strengthening the construction of children’s social and psychological service system and building a mental health service network for children and adolescents. He said that the National Health and Health Commission and relevant departments have issued relevant opinions on strengthening mental health services, in which specific arrangements have been made for the mental health of children and adolescents.
At the same time, National Health Commission, the Central Political and Legal Committee, the Ministry of Education and other departments carried out the pilot work of the social psychological service system throughout the country. Among them, it is clear that improving the psychological service network of the education system and strengthening mental health education, psychological counseling and psychological support for children and adolescents at all stages will be the focus, guiding the pilot areas to explore and improve the mental health system.
"Up to now, the pilot work has made positive progress. 96% of villages and communities in the pilot area, including 100% colleges and nearly 95% primary and secondary schools, have set up psychological counseling rooms or social studios." Da-chuan Li said.
In addition, Da-chuan Li said that the professional level of mental health services for children and adolescents should be improved by strengthening the capacity building of mental health services in the medical and health system. Continue to strengthen the construction of psychiatric departments in psychiatric hospitals and general hospitals. In terms of talent team construction, we will continue to do a good job in continuing education and job-transfer training for psychiatrists, and constantly improve their diagnosis and treatment level. In terms of standardized diagnosis and treatment, relevant diagnosis and treatment guidelines and technical specifications are formulated to standardize medical service behavior.
Da-chuan Li also mentioned that a series of special actions should be carried out to ensure that all the work is effective. He said that "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)" includes three special action plans, including mental health promotion action, maternal and child health promotion action, and primary and secondary school students health promotion action, which have made arrangements for children and adolescents’ mental health from different angles.
At the same time, starting from 2021, China has set up pilot projects to promote children’s and adolescents’ mental health among major public health projects, and organized social mobilization, popular science propaganda, screening and evaluation of children’s and adolescents’ mental health promotion, accumulating experience, and constantly summarizing and popularizing it.
At the press conference that day, Da-chuan Li also pointed out that the mental health problems of children and adolescents involve various fields and need the attention of all departments, industries and even the whole society. Therefore, it is very important to bring this work into the social service system, public health service system and social security system to promote and work together. (End)