More than 90 percent of the people in China suffering from mental diseases are not being treated, medical experts revealed yesterday.

On the eve of the four-day World Psychiatric Association Regional Conference and the China Psychiatric Society's Annual Congress in Shanghai, the experts also said less than half of those suffering from schizophrenia are receiving proper treatment.

However China has realized the importance of treating mental health. Last year there were 19,130 psychiatrists in the nation, 47 times the number in 1957. The number of beds in mental health centers also increased from 11,000 in 1957 to 64,000 in 1985 and 145,570 last year.

"However, China is still a country with poor resources for mental health due to a shortage of professionals and an increase in mental illness in the population. The low rate of treatment rate is a reflection of the situation," said Zhang Mingyuan from the Shanghai Mental Health Center. "The rising number of migrant workers, an aging society and new phenomena like drug addiction and Internet addiction are all contributing to the increase of mental disorders and diseases."

He said a recent survey of 20,000 people in Zhejiang and Hubei Provinces found that 16.17 percent of the adults surveyed suffered mental illness.

"Improving mental health services and their availability are the key for China. Doctors in comprehensive hospitals will have to take responsibility and diagnose patients with mental problems in time," Zhang said.

As well as treatment, health authorities are also aware of the importance of prevention.

"Shanghai has set up a crisis intervention team consisting of some 20 mental experts and 50 psychologists, who provide consultation through hotlines and attend accidents," said Dr Xiao Zeping, president of Shanghai Mental Health Center.

The conference and the congress will see mental health experts from all over the world discussing new concepts and international developments in mental health.

(Shanghai Daily September 20, 2007)