1 Mental Health Problems of Chinese School Children

Abstract

This chapter explores the mental health problems of Chinese school children. It is suggested that from epidemiological studies, one of the most pressing mental health problems of children and adolescents is mental retardation. School children with a mild degree of mental retardation attend ordinary classes, however, in some primary schools special classes were established for mild cases of mental retardation. Only children who are severely mentally handicapped attend special schools. From 1985 to 1995, the physical development indices of Chinese children, such as height and weight, increased markedly, and there is a trend of advanced development of puberty. However, there is also an increase in the number of psycho-social problems. Prevalence rates found by other researchers usually fall between 8.72% and 14.89%. Among anti-social disorders, the most frequent complaint raised by parents and teachers in China concerns Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), occupying about half of the total behavior problems. The high rate of ADHD may be attributed to the one child family program; the only child being the focus of attention of parents and teachers. In Chinese classrooms, children have to sit quietly 45 minutes, so any overt movement can be easily noticed. In Chinese child psychiatric and counseling clinics, hyperactivity has been the most common problem awaiting treatment.