12356 set as hotline for distress calls

A nationwide mental health support hotline will soon be available across China, aiming to address the growing prevalence of psychological issues, the National Health Commission announced on Wednesday.

The hotline number — 12356 — is expected to be operational around New Year's Day on Jan 1 or this year's Spring Festival on Jan 29 and will be accessible nationwide starting May 1, according to the commission.

Each city-level region is required to establish at least one hotline, which must be staffed by at least two operators for a minimum of 18 hours daily.

Through the hotline, operators will provide mental health education, psychological counseling and support, as well as respond to urgent mental health needs. Efforts are also underway to integrate the mental health hotline with the country's emergency hotlines for police, fire and medical aid services.

The initiative is part of a national campaign to tackle increasing mental health challenges by offering reliable and convenient mental health services.

Xing Ruoqi, deputy director of the commission's department of medical administration, stated at a news conference that a growing number of Chinese citizens are grappling with mental health pressures due to rapid economic growth, urbanization, industrialization and the challenges of an aging population.

In 2021, the rate of moderate to severe depression in China was 8.3 percent, according to a study by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Among teenagers, the rate of depression stood at around 2 percent, health experts said.

To address the growing demand for mental health services, China has expanded psychiatric hospitals and psychiatry departments in general hospitals, increased the training of psychiatric physicians, enhanced mental health service capacities at medical institutions, and developed standardized diagnosis and treatment guidelines, Xing said.

The nation also launched a pilot program in 2018 to establish a comprehensive network of mental health services covering neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and medical institutions.

"In addition, the commission has engaged experts to educate the public about mental health through various awareness campaigns," Xing added.

With the establishment of the hotline, the public can dial the five-digit number to seek information about mental health or receive support during emotional distress.

"Local authorities are required to scale up capacities based on call volumes," Xing said.

The commission also plans to expand mental health services further by encouraging hospitals to open psychological consultation clinics and setting up more mental health service centers. Medical professionals specializing in physical illnesses will receive training to better identify mental health issues and conduct early interventions.

More awareness campaigns will also be rolled out in schools, communities and workplaces, Xing noted.

wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn