Data from the World Health Organization show that there are currently about 54 million people suffering from depression and about 41 million suffering from anxiety disorders in China. In recent years, China's demand for psychological counseling, diagnosis, and treatment has continued to grow. Reports indicate that by 2023, the market size of this industry is expected to exceed 95 billion yuan (14.7 billion US dollars).
As of 2018, China had only about 6,000 psychologists and approximately 1.2 million certified counselors. However, among these 1.2 million counselors, only 30,000 to 40,000 are full-time or part-time practitioners in psychological counseling, which is far below the actual demand. The World Health Organization recommends a ratio of one counselor per 1,000 people, so China would need at least 1.3 million psychological counselors.
Yang Zhi, 21 years old, a student from Qingdao, Shandong Province, waited for two hours before he could finally get in for a follow-up diagnosis by a psychologist. In lieu of that, he was only given five minutes for a brief chat.
Yang Zhi, a 21-year-old student from Qingdao, Shandong Province, waited for two hours before finally receiving the follow-up diagnosis from a psychologist. However, the so-called follow-up diagnosis was just a brief five-minute conversation.
Devastated, Yang wondered if consulting a psychologist for mental health solutions was the right thing to do anymore, given that the field seems to have acquired dimensions of a booming, profitable business.
Yang Zhi has been hit hard. Considering the current good development in this field and the many available treatment services, he is unsure whether he should continue consulting a professional psychologist for mental health issues.
Yang recalled with a sad face later: 'It was different from what I had expected - a longer chat about my recent experiences. I also wanted to know if it's normal to forget things after starting to take prescribed antidepressants. But my psychologist looked so hurried. She was constantly glancing at the long queue outside her office, and I couldn't keep my mind focused in that situation.'
Yang Zhi recalled: 'This was different from what I expected—I thought we would have a detailed conversation about my recent situation. I also wanted to know if it's normal to forget things after starting taking prescription antidepressants, but my psychologist seemed very hurried, she often looked at the long line outside the office, and in that situation, I couldn't keep my thoughts straight.'
Yang then recalled his first visit to the clinic. 'It was almost the same. I waited for over an hour to see the doctor. It struck me that there were so many people who looked just fine from the outside but were struggling with various difficulties in their lives, just like me.'
Yang Zhi continued to recall his first visit to the clinic, 'It was pretty much the same, I waited for over an hour before seeing a doctor. But what shocked me was that there were so many people like me, who seemingly seemed fine on the surface but were actually struggling with various difficulties in life.'
He quickly turned to online psychological consulting platforms, as suggested by his friends.
At the suggestion of a friend, he quickly turned to internet psychological counseling platforms.
"Offline clinics are always crowded. My friends told me that online platforms are easier to access, offer good confidentiality, can help users avoid the potential awkwardness of encountering an acquaintance or colleague, and are more flexible," Yang said.
"Offline clinics have always been overcrowded. My friend told me that online platforms are easier to access, offer better privacy, help users avoid embarrassment with acquaintances or colleagues, and are also more flexible," said Yang Zhi.
"However, I was shocked to see some of the online counselors identifying themselves with fancy designations like 'relationship expert' and 'spiritual hypnosis instructor'. They offer services such as saving a relationship, helping one relieve stress after a breakup, as well as dealing with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But somehow I find it hard to trust them," he said.
"However, when I see some online consultants using fancy titles such as 'relationship expert' or 'psychic hypnotist' to market themselves, I'm shocked. The services they offer include saving a relationship, helping you cope with post-breakup stress, and so on, as well as helping you deal with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But for some reason, I find it hard to believe them," he said.
Yang is not the only one suffering from depression who hasn't found an ideal place for therapy.
Yang Zhi is not the only one suffering from depression who cannot find an ideal treatment location.
Data from the World Health Organization shows that about 54 million people in China are currently suffering from depression, and about 41 million from anxiety disorders.
Data from the World Health Organization show that there are currently about 54 million people suffering from depression and about 41 million suffering from anxiety disorder in China.
Experts say that concerns related to mental health have spurred a multi-billion-dollar business. However, the insufficient number of clinics and professionals has made online platforms an area of focus for investment, which has led to concerns about their qualification and reliability.
Experts say that concerns about mental health have stimulated billions of dollars in business. However, due to the shortage of clinics and professionals, internet platforms have become a key area for investment, leading to concerns about their qualifications and reliability.
In recent years, demand for psychological counseling, diagnosis, and treatment in China has continued to grow, spurring a business whose market size is estimated to exceed 950（$147.00 billion）by 2023, according to the market research provider LeadLeo Research Institute.
In recent years, China's demand for psychological counseling, diagnosis, and treatment has continued to grow.According to data from the market research institution LeadLeo Research Institute, by 2023, the industry's market size is expected to exceed 95 billion RMB (14.7 billion USD).
"Currently, people in China are experiencing increasing pressure from competition at the workplace. In addition, the expansion of cities and the massive rural-to-urban movement of residents have made some people unable to manage challenges associated with rapid urbanization," said Neil Wang, president of consultancy Frost & Sullivan China.
"Currently, Chinese people are facing increasing competitive pressure in the workplace. In addition, urban expansion and large-scale rural-to-urban migration have made it difficult for some individuals to cope with the challenges brought about by rapid urbanization," said Dr. Wang Xin, President of Frost & Sullivan Greater China.
"In addition, people also face great pressure from housing, providing good educational resources to the next generation, and taking care of their aging parents, especially when many middle-aged people are the only child in the family. All these factors have led to a higher demand for psychological counseling, diagnosis, and treatment," Wang said.
"In addition, people are also facing various immense pressures, such as housing, providing good educational resources for the next generation, and taking care of elderly parents, especially many middle-aged people who are only children in their families, which pose particularly great challenges. All these circumstances have led to an increased demand for psychological counseling, diagnosis, and treatment," said Dr. Wang Xin.
The report said that the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and self-quarantine requirements also had a huge impact on people's mental health. Many people who were interviewed have reflected that physical distancing from family and friends, as well as financial losses, have led to boredom, depression, anxiety, and many other symptoms.
The report states that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement for self-quarantine have also had a significant impact on people's mental health. Many interviewed individuals reported maintaining physical distance from family and friends, as well as various economic losses, which have led to boredom, depression, anxiety, and many other symptoms.
To address this issue, the Chinese government issued guidelines on mental health protection. The government has formed a team of specialists for real-time research and evaluation of major mental health issues, another team of psychologists for people's mental health assessment, grading, on-site treatment, a 24/7 hotline for psychological aid, and groups of other social forces.
To address this issue, the Chinese government has issued guidelines for mental health protection. The government has formed an expert team that conducts real-time research and evaluation of major mental health problems, as well as a psychological expert team responsible for assessing, grading, and providing on-site treatment for people's mental health. There is also a 7*24-hour psychological assistance hotline, along with many other social group forces.
"The government, hospitals, and other social forces have made great efforts in providing mental health aid. However, the problem of insufficient number of offline clinics and professionals still exists and has become more prominent than before," said Zhao Hao, founder and head of Golden Crown (Beijing) International Cultural Development Co Ltd, a Beijing-based counseling and training company specializing in parenting, marriage, and sexual harassment prevention.
"The government, hospitals, and other social forces have made many efforts in mental health assistance, but the problem of insufficient offline clinics and professionals still exists, and it is more pronounced than ever," said Zhao Hao, founder and CEO of Golden Crown (Beijing) International Cultural Development Co., Ltd., a consulting and training company headquartered in Beijing specializing in areas such as parenting, marriage, and sexual harassment prevention.
According to a recent report by the LeadLeo Research Institute, a market research provider, how to educate children has become the second most frequently counseled topic on online psychological clinics, after self-adjustment, and is followed by social interactions, career guidance and marriage issues. About 46 percent of people surveyed showed a strong demand for a parenting counseling session, accounting for a significant portion of the multi-billion-dollar business.
A recent report by LeadLeo Research Institute shows,How to educate children has become the second most frequently asked topic on online mental health platforms, only after self-adjustment. Followed by social issues, career guidance, and marriage problems. The report states that approximately 46% of respondents indicated a high demand for parenting advice, which accounts for a significant portion of the billions in business revenue.
The LeadLeo report shows that as of 2018, there were only about 6,000 psychologists and about 1.2 million certified counselors in China. However, only 30,000 to 40,000 of these 1.2 million counselors are working full-time or part-time in the field of psychological counseling. Their number is far below the actual demand. According to the WHO's recommended counselor-to-person ratio of 1:1,000, China needs at least 1.3 million psychological counselors, the LeadLeo report said.
The report from LeadLeo shows,As of 2018, there were only about 6,000 psychologists and approximately 1.2 million certified counselors in China. However, among these 1.2 million counselors, only 30,000 to 40,000 are full-time or part-time practitioners of psychological counseling, which is far below the actual demand.The report states,The World Health Organization recommends a ratio of one psychologist to 1,000 population. Therefore, China would need at least 1.3 million psychologists.
"There is great market demand for vocational training on how to become a psychological counselor, because more and more people find the sector promising and want to enter it, while becoming a counselor has relatively lower requirements compared with becoming a psychiatrist or psychologist," Zhao said.
"The market demand for vocational training for psychological counselors is very high because more and more people feel that this industry has prospects and want to enter it. Compared to becoming a psychologist or psychiatrist, becoming a psychological counselor requires relatively lower qualifications," said Zhao Hao.
Currently in China, there are three types of people who can solve mental health related problems: psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychological counselors.
Currently in China, there are three categories of professionals who can address mental health-related issues: psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders.
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders.
Psychologists are not necessarily doctors. They provide diagnoses and therapies to help patients cope with various stresses, recover from trauma, and manage mental health disorders.
Psychologists are not necessarily doctors. They provide diagnoses and treatments to help patients cope with various stresses, recover from trauma, and manage mental health disorders.
Psychological counselors spend time talking with patients about an issue and working through it in one-on-one counseling sessions. However, they do not have the authority to prescribe medication or make diagnoses.
Psychologists spend time discussing a problem with patients and resolving it in one-on-one counseling sessions, but they do not have the authority to prescribe or diagnose.
In the past, psychological counselors were required to undergo specialized vocational training, pass certain examinations, and obtain a government-issued license before they could engage in psychological counseling activities.
In the past, psychological counselors had to undergo specialized vocational training, pass certain exams, and obtain a license issued by the government before they could engage in psychological counseling activities.
In 2017, the license was cancelled by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, which implemented a checklist management mechanism for psychological counselors in order to raise the bar for entry-level counselors.
In 2017, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security cancelled this license and implemented a list management mechanism for psychological counselors to raise the threshold for junior counselors.
The LeadLeo report pointed out that the requirements for previous license applications were at a low level, and the examinations were also not tough enough.
LeadLeo's report indicates that previous applications for psychological counseling licensure had lower requirements and the exams were not strict enough.
"At present, there is no unified national standard to determine whether a person is qualified to carry out psychological counseling and treatment work. As a result, educational background, practical experience, and personal abilities have become important factors that clinics would consider when hiring new staff," Zhao said.
"At present, there is no unified standard in China to determine whether a person is qualified for psychological counseling and treatment work. Therefore, educational background, practical experience, and personal ability become important factors that clinics consider when recruiting new staff," said Zhao Hao.
"However, the industry still faces challenges as there are quite a number of unqualified counselors, and even psychologists, who lack decent educational backgrounds or good practicing performance, but are still working to offer consultation or treatment to patients," he said.
"However, the industry still faces many challenges because there are quite a number of unqualified counselors or psychologists who lack a good educational background or excellent practical performance yet continue to provide counseling or treatment for patients," he said.
With the rapid development of internet technology and more young people seeking psychological counseling, an increasing number of people are turning to online platforms for psychological counseling and treatment.
With the rapid development of internet technology and the increasing number of young people seeking psychological counseling, the number of people turning to online platforms for psychological counseling and treatment is growing rapidly.
Sun Fei, 28, an office worker based in Beijing, has been relying on the online mental health care platform haoxinqing.cn. The Chinese name translates to 'good mood'.
Sun Fei, 28 years old, a Beijing office worker, has always relied on an internet healthcare platform in the field of mental health and well-being called haoxinqing.cn.
"On Haoxinqing, I can choose from various doctors at hospitals across the country with a simple mouse-click or screen-tap. I also get to choose whether to call, text, or set up an in-person meeting for diagnosis. It is much more convenient and flexible than going to an offline clinic," Sun said.
"On the Happy Mood website, I can simply click with my mouse or screen to select doctors from hospitals across the country. I can also choose to have a diagnosis done by phone or text message, or through an in-person interview. This is much more convenient and flexible than going to an offline clinic," said Sun Fei.
"In addition, the website has a specific column for each doctor that clearly states their educational and clinical experience, as well as the hospitals they are currently working in. The design makes it look reliable," she said.
"Moreover, the website has a dedicated section for each doctor, clearly introducing their educational background and clinical experience, as well as which hospital they are currently working at. This design makes the website seem very reliable," said Sun Fei.
According to the LeadLeo report, compared with offline clinics, online platforms leverage fragmented doctors' time and their desire for higher income besides regular salaries to offer patients services that are more flexible, easier to access, and allow them to communicate sufficiently.
The LeadLeo research report indicates that compared to offline clinics, online platforms offer patients more flexible, accessible services that are easier to obtain and allow for sufficient time for communication, taking advantage of doctors' fragmented time and their desire to earn additional income beyond a fixed salary.
The report also stated that online hospitals and clinics with a number of psychiatrists and psychologists from hospitals such as Haoxinqing can make a profit through diagnosis, treatment, and counseling services.
The report also states that internet healthcare platforms like 'Good Mood', which have many psychiatrists and psychologists on board, can make profits through diagnosis, treatment, and consulting services.
In September, ByteDance, the parent company of short video-sharing app TikTok, led the Series C funding round for haoxinqing, marking the largest financing of an online platform in the region.
September, short video appsTikTokByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, led the Series C financing for Good Mood, becoming the largest financing deal in the domestic mental health internet sector.
In addition to online hospitals and clinics, there are also organizations and businesses that focus on training, counseling, and other forms of services to make a profit.
In addition to internet healthcare platforms, there are also some organizations and businesses that focus on training, consulting, and other forms of services to generate revenue.
Take KnowYourself. Established in 2016, the company has a WeChat account that focuses on producing content to help readers with all sorts of problems in personal growth, work, and relationships.
withKnow YourselfFor example, the company was established in 2016, and its WeChat official account focuses on producing content to help readers solve various problems in their personal growth, work, and interpersonal relationships.
It has also developed an app called Yueshi (Chinese for lunar eclipse), which offers services such as counseling, psychological assessments, guidance on practicing breathing and meditation, online communities for people to share thoughts, as well as games, videos, and voices to help people relieve stress.
The company has also developed an app called 'Lunar Eclipse', which provides users with services such as psychological counseling, psychological assessment, breathing and meditation guidance. Users can share their emotions and thoughts in online communities, and the software offers many games, videos, and audio materials to help users relieve stress.
To date, KnowYourself's social media accounts have more than 10 million users. "Online psychological counseling and treatment platforms are developing rapidly in recent years, but the industry lacks a standard to supervise involving psychologists and counselors to determine whether they are qualified to offer a range of services," Zhao of Golden Crown said.
To date,Know YourselfThe social media account has over 10 million users. "Online psychological counseling and treatment platforms have developed rapidly in recent years, but there is still a lack of an industry standard to supervise psychologists and counselors within them to determine whether they are qualified to provide a range of services," said Zhao Hao, the Golden Crowned One.
"The industry also lacks regulations to govern online platforms' offers to 'treat' patients. Some online platforms have launched services that are eye-catching but not recognized by professionals or assessed by any academic research," he said.
"The industry also lacks regulations on how online platforms treat patients. Some online platforms have launched eye-catching services, but these services have not been recognized by professionals or evaluated by any academic research," said Zhao Hao.
"In the future, more efforts are needed to ensure the long-term sustainable development of the industry," he said.
"Looking ahead, we need to make more efforts to ensure the long-term sustainable development of the industry," said Zhao Hao.
*This article is reprinted from China Daily, authored by LIU YUKUN, with the original title 'Wanted: Caregivers for a beautiful mind'.
