A national law will be formulated to protect mentally ill people
and improve mental health services, as mental illnesses are
emerging as a serious issue in China, Xinhua News Agency reported
Wednesday.
The draft of the law, which would guarantee mental patients' rights
to receive medical treatment and convalescence services, is part of
the country's effort to better care for the mentally ill and help
them gradually return to normal life, said Vice Minister of Health
Zhu Qingsheng.
About 16 million people in China suffer from mental disorders, and
the annual incidence of mental illnesses has reached 13 per 1,000
people, Zhu said at a ceremony to mark the 10th "World Mental
Health Day" Wednesday.
Various activities were held nationwide to raise public awareness
of disease prevention, convey correct information and provide
counseling services during the event, which was designated by the
World
Federation of Public Health Associations.
"It is especially important to patients themselves and their
families to eliminate discrimination and provide good medical
services," Zhu said.
But due to lack of legal measures, many patients cannot get
treatment if, for example, their families refuse to send them to a
mental hospital or family members refuse to take care of them.
Behavioral problems in children, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide
attempts, mental retardation among the elderly and psychological
problems of middle school and college students have been increasing
since the 1980s, according to experts.
(eastday.com
10/11/2001)