Some 182 psychological counselors recently completed training at a hospital in Beijing's neighboring Tianjin Municipality and prepared to launch their professional career.
The training program was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Candidates were selected from examinations and interviews held across the country. While some are medical workers, most of them are teachers, law officers and managers in enterprises.
Psychological disorders have become one of the top health problems in the country, according to an international index used for evaluating the general burden of diseases in society.
A recent survey conducted in Tianjin revealed that nearly half of its residents were worried about how to release their mental burdens.
People usually pay attention to physical problems, but often ignore psychosocial health, and professional consultants are urgently needed in China, said Hu Shunzhi, director of the Tianjin Psychological Health Hospital.
China listed psychological counseling as a new occupation this year and clinics can now be established.
Hu said the first group of trained professionals expressed their hope to work in such clinics to help those with mental problems.
The director said more such training sessions will be held in Tianjin and a counseling network will be established here.
(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2002)
