Fearing mental problems could plague more people if negligence and discrimination persist, China now plans to enhance public understanding of the illnesses and medical services.

Health officials and psychiatric specialists held discussions Thursday on a draft plan for the development of mental health services in China.

The 10-year plan named depression, schizophrenia and dementia among the elderly as the leading mental problems to be tackled.

The plan, which is waiting for endorsement of the State Council, China's cabinet, also underlined children, the elderly, women, and people who have experienced serious disasters as the primary groups in need of mental health services.

Some 16 million out of the 1.3 billion Chinese people suffer from serious mental disorders, according to Vice-Minister of Health Yin Dakui.

In addition, about 30 million children under the age 17 are plagued by psychological and behavioral problems, and old-age mental problems and alcohol and drug dependence are also emerging as health problems, he said.

However, discrimination against mental disorder patients remains strong in China largely due to a lack of understanding about mental problems, which further deters prevention and treatment of the illnesses, said psychiatric expert Yu Xin.

"Right now we need to educate people with correct information on mental health," he said.

About 60 percent of urbanites and 40 percent of rural residents in China are expected to have learned the elementary knowledge of mental health by the year 2010, compared with the current 30 percent and 10 percent respectively.

With educational efforts, about 60 percent of the elderly and their family members and caretakers should know something about old-age dementia and depression, which will highly benefit prevention and treatment, according to the plan.

Only 25 percent of people are able to tell what dementia is at present, experts estimated.

Under the plan, treatment will be available to more patients of depression and schizophrenia in ten years as medical and counseling services will be greatly improved.

A national program highlighting the role of the community in helping 1.22 million mental disorder patients to recover has been carried out in areas with a population of 200 million, and will be expanded to cover areas inhabited by 800 million people in the next decade.

(People's Daily November 2, 2001)