A recent research study shows 30 million adolescents in China under the age of 17 are suffering from learning, emotional or behavioural disorders. This situation is attracting more and more attention from teachers and experts.

Here is our reporter Zhang Wan with the story.

China's rapid economic and social development has brought with it not only benefits and wealth but also new social and psychological challenges. Due to various stresses, people nowadays are becoming more and more vulnerable to mental problems - especially, it seems, adolescents.

Recent research shows 30 million adolescents in China under the age of 17 suffer from learning, emotional or behavioural disorders. Children with these disorders are often prone to social isolation, sleeplessness and anxiety.
 
Ministry of Health studies show many factors contribute to these problems, including overwhelming learning stresses and bullying in schools. Meanwhile, children in single-parent families and blended families are thought to be more susceptible to psychological problems than their peers.

Yang Jing, an advisory teacher with the 'psychological association of Beijing' in Shiyi Middle School, talks about the common characteristics of students growing up within the "one-child-policy" in China.

"Most students are the only child in their family, so they care more about themselves, rather than having feelings for others. That's why they often get communication problems. Moreover, they are not capable enough to deal with frustrations due to the easy life they have had planned out for them by their parents. These factors all contribute to their mental health and well-being in the long term."

Beijing's Shiyi Middle School has set up a psychological association and a counselling service for its students for several years now. It's not only about spreading information about psychology but also providing psychological assistance to students in need. Yang Jing says most students had no idea about psychology or psychological assistance in the beginning, but now more and more of them are seeking help when they face problems and difficulties.

"The most frequent problems they have are about how to get over difficulties in study and life and how to get along with their classmates. Being their consultant, we want them know that we are always ready to provide support."

The mental health of adolescents has been thrust into the spotlight in recent years. Experts from the 'Ministry of Health' say providing preventive measures for mental diseases nowadays is considered as important as medical treatment. Having learned from other countries, they are now working on drafting Mental Health Laws and finding better ways of implementing psychological services.

For China Drive, I am Zhang Wan.