Pandemic shows need for a national mental health plan

A Shanghai Mental Health Center research team recently conducted a nationwide mental health survey, the first exercise to study the Chinese people's emotional state during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Between Jan 31 and Feb 10, the team collected 52,730 responses nationwide to assess the levels of anxiety, depression, fear and compulsive behavior.

The results show about 35 percent of the respondents were emotionally disturbed. And women, who accounted for 64.73 percent of the respondents, were more disturbed than men.

Those aged 18-30 or above 60 suffered more than those in other age groups. This is because the youngsters had greater access to information about the epidemic and the elderly knew that they were most susceptible.

Migrant workers suffer the most, possibly because they are worried about infection risk on returning to work and also of declining incomes because of the outbreak.

A public health emergency can make people go through a range of emotional changes. From a public health perspective, it is important to monitor people's mental health and provide necessary psychological intervention where required.

Mental health is of great importance to not just an individual, but the entire society.

The survey's results show public health authorities should pay more attention to mentally disadvantaged groups－such as youngsters, elders and migrant workers－who are suffering the most mental distress during the epidemic.

The National Health Commission has released a guideline for urgent intervention to avert a psychological crisis during the novel coronavirus epidemic, but such a system has not yet been established.

As suggested by the researchers, the authorities should come up with a national plan on mental crisis intervention during major disasters.