The mental health of China's youngsters is on the decline, with 60 percent of college students feeling isolated and 80 percent feeling social injustice, a survey has suggested.
Those feelings find their expression through irregular behavior, skipping classes, autism and rebellion, and have also led to psychological problems like Internet addiction and suicide, according to a recent survey released by the China Population Communication Center.
"The current crisis of personality makes me wonder whether we have failed to build up our young people in the country?" said Pan Guiyu, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.
The survey polled 133 students in Beijing schools through face-to-face interviews from March to June last year.
The problems seem to increase as children get older.
Primary and junior high school students did not show personality disorders. Senior high school students, although having a higher incidence of psychological troubles, covered up problems by engaging in preparations for the college entrance examination. Those who went to college showed the worst state of mind, the report revealed.
In the survey, three of 10 college respondents said they never communicated with their parents, while 25 percent will not talk to their parents unless they experience a conflict.
Nearly 50 percent said they lacked a sense of security in social interactions, and another 50 percent were not content with their lives. Two of 10 felt trapped in a state of emptiness and 60 percent felt lonely.
The report also said that 80 percent of college students complained about social inequality and some of them had developed an intense anger.