New program to improve mental health in China

According to the World Health Organisation, between 10-20% of adolescents worldwide experience mental health disorders. In China, that number is around 15% for depression and 25% for anxiety.

If mental health disorders are untreated, they can affect adolescent’s education and wellbeing.

Lawrence Lam is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Technology Sydney. He is about to roll out an educational program in Guangxi in southern China.

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The program will be developed from the Mental Health First Aid framework, which teaches skills like how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and where to refer people to help.

Professor Lam spoke to Ellen Leabeater.

Image: Aldas Kirvaitis on Flickr.