Also on Our Site

v Listen to more stories from China Drive

Mental health problems plague many Chinese people. A report by the Ministry of Health shows that 26 million people suffer from depression in the country. But, despite the vastness of this problem, many people are unaware of what depression is or how to treat it. In Beijing, a community hospital has recently opened up a mental health consultation room, the first of its kind in the city, to help local patients. China Drive reporter Zhou Jing takes a look.

(Audio available for download)

Located in the city's Youwai Residential Area, Youwai Hospital has recently opened a new clinic for mental health consultations. Not long after its launch, the clinic already has some patients.

"By seeing a doctor here you can avoid embarrassment. If I go to those big hospitals, there'll be more people who'll make me nervous. And, I feel the doctors here are nicer and more considerate. So I'm very willing to get treated here."

"Seeing a doctor here is much cheaper. If you can't go to the clinic, the doctors can also drop by your home and provide service to you."

So far the community clinic has 10 mental health consultants. Zhang Hui is one of them. He says recently more people have been coming to seek help.

"Now we see about 10 patients everyday. And the number is increasing. And, after working here for some time, I have found that such consultation is really needed by residents."

According to the World Health Organization, about 200 million people across the world suffer from depression. And, in China the number tops 26 million. But compared to the large number of citizens who suffer from depression, the number who seek consultation and treatment in China is quite small, actually less than 10 percent.

Society's negative perception of mental issues remains a hurdle in the treatment of depression.

Still, Yang Fengchi, a mental health expert at Capital Medical University says community hospitals somehow provide a solution. "First, these hospitals and clinics are located in residential areas. It's convenient for patients to go there and seek help. Then, more people troubled by depression will get treated. Second, these clinics so close to the residents can detect problems early. And timely treatment is conducive to a complete recovery."

Now a plan to send more mental health professionals into communities throughout the capital city is being carried out. And the fees for the treatment of depression will soon be covered by the country's medical insurance system. 

China Drive is one of CRI's radio programs aired from Monday to Friday. We pick the most interesting life reports from China Drive. Stay tuned.