Spotlight on Mental Health: Mental health in China
Jun 1, 2023
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Experts discuss the trajectory of mental health services in China, culturally-adapted interventions, self-harm prevention in children, and the need for a comprehensive top-down approach to mental health. They explore the stagnant prevalence of mental disorders, cultural adaptations for effective treatment, and strategies to prevent self-harm and suicide. The podcast also addresses the impact of social media on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
China focuses on family responsibility for severe mental health cases, challenging global recommendations on patient rights and community-based services.
Cultural adaptations in psychological interventions in China are tailored to address the influence of Confucianism and traditional beliefs, proving effective in diverse cultural contexts.
Deep dives
Commission's Overview on China's Mental Health Commitment
Over the past 30 years, China has dedicated significant resources to its mental health system, including a mental health law and insurance coverage. However, the prevalence and burden of mental disorders have not seen substantial improvement, except for a decrease in suicide rates driven by urbanization. Global recommendations emphasize patient rights and community-based services, but China's focus on family responsibility for severe cases challenges these practices.
Cultural Adaptations in Mental Health Interventions
Cultural adaptations in psychological interventions strive to address the influence of cultural backgrounds on mental health. Chinese culture, rooted in history and ethos like Confucianism, greatly shapes perceptions of mental disorders, requiring tailored interventions. These adaptations involve modifying Western therapy models to fit cultural norms and adopting culturally specific interventions influenced by traditional Chinese beliefs. Research shows that both approaches can be effective in addressing mental health needs across different cultures.
Challenges and Recommendations for Cultural Adapted Interventions
Adapting mental health interventions across cultures presents challenges, including the lack of research in indigenous communities and the need for standardized evaluation mechanisms. Suggestions include therapists and service adaptations to enhance cultural competence, content modifications to align with cultural beliefs, and organizational changes to promote access to care. Enhancing research and understanding underlying mechanisms can optimize the effectiveness of culturally adapted interventions.
School-Based Strategies for Suicide Prevention in Adolescents
Effective suicide prevention strategies for Chinese adolescents involve school-based gatekeeper training programs for teachers and parents to identify and respond to at-risk youth. Psychosocial school training programs are essential to equip adolescents with communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation skills, fostering self-esteem and relationship-building. Prioritizing research to support program effectiveness and addressing social media's role in responsible mental health discourse are pivotal steps in enhancing suicide prevention efforts.
Helena Wang, Asia Executive Editor at The Lancet, is joined by three guests to discuss the trajectory of mental health services in China, culturally-adapted mental health interventions for Chinese populations, and self-harm and suicide prevention approaches for children and adolescents in China.
Guests on this podcast: Michael Phillips - the Director of Suicide Research and Prevention Center, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Siying Li - PhD candidate, Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London Lu Niu - Associate Professor of Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University