[Photo Supplied by Tuchong]

World Mental Health Day is held annually, on October 10, to spotlight mental health around the world, raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues. It was celebrated in China, with the theme of promoting child and adolescent mental health this year. 

On the eve of the 32nd World Mental Health Day, China's National Health Commission (NHC) held a news conference, during which several officials outlined China's efforts in improving children's mental health. The officials also called on various organizations and people, from all segments of society, across the country, to help children and adolescents improve their mental health. 

Li Dachuan, Deputy Director of NHC's Department of Medical Administration, stressed the commission and other departments in recent years have put much effort into promoting child and adolescent mental health. For example, the commission and the departments have worked together to improve the social-psychological service system for children, and to establish a service network to improve children and adolescents' mental health. The commission and other departments have also promulgated the Opinions on Strengthening Mental Health Care Services, which clarify responsibilities of government departments and relevant sectors and request education facilities to strengthen mental health education to help children be more positive and resilient. Meanwhile, various regions of the country have conducted pilot projects to establish children's social psychological service system. 

Liu Peijun, Deputy Director of the Department of Physical, Health and Arts Education, under the Ministry of Education, told media the ministry, the NHC and 15 other departments or organizations in April promulgated an action plan (2023-2025) to strengthen work related to improving students' mental health. 

With the target of promoting students' healthy, overall development, Liu said the plan stresses the importance of cultivating students' good psychological characteristics (including loving life, having high self-esteem, and being confident and optimistic). The plan also defines the responsibilities of government departments, at various levels across the country, in promoting child and adolescent mental health. In addition, the plan stresses schools, families and society should work together to help children and adolescents improve their mental health. 

According to the plan, work related to improving students' mental health should be included in the standards for the evaluation of the performances of provincial people's governments across the country to fulfill their duties of promoting work related to improving the regions' education.

(Women of China English Monthly November 2023 issue)