A nationwide mental health support hotline will soon be available across China, aiming to address the growing prevalence of psychological issues, the National Health Commission announced on Wednesday.

12月25日，国家卫生健康委宣布，中国将开通全国心理健康援助热线，以应对日益增多的心理问题。

The hotline number—12356—is expected to be operational around New Year's Day on Jan 1 or this year's Spring Festival on Jan 29 and will be accessible nationwide starting May 1, according to the commission.

据国家卫生健康委介绍，该热线号码为“12356”，预计将于2025年元旦（1月1日）或春节（1月29日）前后投入运行，并将于2025年5月1日起在全国范围内开通。

Each city-level region is required to establish at least one hotline, which must be staffed by at least two operators for a minimum of 18 hours daily.

各市级地区需至少开通一条心理援助热线，并确保每天至少有2名接线员值守，每日提供不少于18小时的心理援助服务。

Through the hotline, operators will provide mental health education, psychological counseling and support, as well as respond to urgent mental health needs. Efforts are also underway to integrate the mental health hotline with the country's emergency hotlines for police, fire and medical aid services.

通过这条热线，接线员将提供心理健康教育、心理咨询和支持，并应对紧急心理健康需求。此外，有关心理健康热线与国家警察、消防和医疗急救等紧急服务热线相整合的工作也在积极推进中。

The initiative is part of a national campaign to tackle increasing mental health challenges by offering reliable and convenient mental health services.

该举措是一项全国性行动的部分内容，该行动旨在通过提供可靠便捷的心理健康服务来应对日益严峻的心理健康挑战。

Xing Ruoqi, deputy director of the commission's department of medical administration, stated at a news conference that a growing number of Chinese citizens are grappling with mental health pressures due to rapid economic growth, urbanization, industrialization and the challenges of an aging population.

国家卫生健康委医政司副司长邢若齐在新闻发布会上表示，随着经济的快速增长、城市化工业化的推进和人口老龄化带来的挑战，越来越多的中国公民正面临心理健康压力。

In 2021, the rate of moderate to severe depression in China was 8.3 percent, according to a study by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Among teenagers, the rate of depression stood at around 2 percent, health experts said.

中国疾病预防控制中心的一项研究显示，2021年中国中重度抑郁症患病率为8.3%。健康专家表示，中国青少年抑郁症患病率为2%左右。

To address the growing demand for mental health services, China has expanded psychiatric hospitals and psychiatry departments in general hospitals, increased the training of psychiatric physicians, enhanced mental health service capacities at medical institutions, and developed standardized diagnosis and treatment guidelines, Xing said.

邢若齐指出，为满足日益增长的心理健康服务需求，中国已扩大了精神专科医院和综合医院精神科的建设，加大了精神科医师的培训力度，提升了医疗机构的心理健康服务能力，并制定了规范化的诊疗指南。

The nation also launched a pilot program in 2018 to establish a comprehensive network of mental health services covering neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and medical institutions.

2018年，中国还启动了一项试点项目，旨在建立一个覆盖社区、学校、工作场所和医疗机构的心理健康服务综合网络。

"In addition, the commission has engaged experts to educate the public about mental health through various awareness campaigns," Xing added.

“此外，国家卫生健康委还组织专家通过各种宣传活动向公众普及心理健康知识，”邢若齐补充道。

With the establishment of the hotline, the public can dial the five-digit number to seek information about mental health or receive support during emotional distress.

随着热线的建立，公众可以拨打这个五位数的号码来查询心理健康信息或在情绪困扰时寻求支持。

"Local authorities are required to scale up capacities based on call volumes," Xing said.

“地方当局要根据电话呼入量采取扩容措施，”邢若齐说。

The commission also plans to expand mental health services further by encouraging hospitals to open psychological consultation clinics and setting up more mental health service centers. Medical professionals specializing in physical illnesses will receive training to better identify mental health issues and conduct early interventions.

国家卫生健康委还计划鼓励医院开设心理咨询门诊、设立更多心理健康服务中心，进一步扩大心理健康服务供给。专门治疗躯体疾病的医务人员也将接受培训，以提高心理健康问题的识别和早期干预能力。

More awareness campaigns will also be rolled out in schools, communities and workplaces, Xing noted.

邢若齐表示，将在学校、社区和工作场所推出更多宣传活动。

prevalence

n.流行，盛行

pilot

adj.试验性的，试点的

英语新闻丨“12356”将成全国统一心理援助热线