BEIJING: 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.
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. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
