Just 10 percent of the 30 million Chinese currently suffering from depression are getting proper medical care due to a lack of psychiatrists and social prejudice against mental illness, experts have said.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
At a meeting in Shanghai last week, mental health professionals said that China has just 17,000 registered psychiatrists, or one for every 76,000 people.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
Most Western countries have a 10-times better ratio.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
Hao Wei, vice-director of the Chinese Psychiatrists' Association, said that more than 60 percent of those currently suffering from depression could greatly benefit from proper medication or professional psychiatric help.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
"But there are just too few doctors available," Hao said, adding that investment in mental healthcare was also insufficient.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
Hao said that about 25 percent of depression cases are first diagnosed by physicians.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
"We need to help our physician colleagues recognize the early signs of depression, so that they can refer those patients to psychiatric professionals," Hao said.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
However, the greatest problem, Hao said, comes from society, in the shape of the widespread prejudice people have toward those with mental health problems.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
Because of public prejudice, many patients are reluctant to visit hospitals specializing in mental care, he said. As a result, 75 percent of all anti-depressants are prescribed by physicians.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
Some patients are reluctant to take such pills, as they are concerned about the side effects, Hao said.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司
The economic cost of depression, in terms of medical bills and lost manpower, is about 60 billion yuan a year, experts said.Urb义乌翻译公司-忠信乐译翻译有限公司