China’s National Health Commission (NHC) announced plans to address significant gaps in its mental health services from 2025 to 2027, with a focus on managing rising mental health issues, particularly among children and adolescents.
The NHC’s statement revealed that the country will establish a mental health hotline, set up regional mental health centers across the nation, and expand key clinical specialties in mental health care. By 2025, outpatient services for mental and sleep disorders are expected to be available in at least one hospital per prefecture and city nationwide.
This initiative comes in response to growing concerns over mental health following several violent incidents in 2024, including stabbings and car ramming attacks. The World Health Organization estimates that 54 million people in China suffer from depression, and approximately 41 million experience anxiety disorders within the 1.4 billion population.
Recent reports indicate that the prevalence of depression among adolescents in China stands at around 2%, with the government addressing the issue through mental health education programs. More than 95% of China’s schools are expected to have mental health instructors by the end of the year, as part of a national action plan launched in 2023.
Experts also point to the growing mental health challenges linked to China’s slowing economy, which has increased job insecurity and reduced economic mobility for many citizens.
Although China’s violent crime rates remain lower than global averages, experts stress that the economic pressures are contributing to heightened mental health concerns, particularly among the younger population.
