Hotline eases nation's mental strain

Residents receive help with anxiety, depression, family conflicts and sleep

When a woman in her 20s called the national mental health hotline in distress in the early hours of a June morning, a counselor on the other end listened carefully and guided her through steps to identify the cause of her ordeal and practice basic coping mechanisms.

"She realized that it was drastic changes in her living environment and family disputes that caused her anxiety and was taught some easy and effective relaxation techniques," said Zhang Qing'e, vice-president of the Beijing Anding Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University. "By the end of the call, she said she felt much better and gained a new perspective on tackling current challenges.

"The case has demonstrated the newly launched hotline's role in offering psychological support, emotional relief and cognitive guidance," Zhang said.