A Chinese Perspective of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak through a Social Psychiatric Lens

Abstract

The 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has posed an emerging threat to global public health and brought challenges to policy-makers. Concerns are rising about the potential mental distress among frontline health-care workers, patients infected with COVID-19, and the public during the epidemic. We aimed to share a Chinese perspective through a social psychiatric lens to better respond to public emergencies. The Chinese government has implemented a number of mental health care measures, including an issue of national guidance on the COVID-19 response in mental health management. We propose that the government should set up a national platform for remote psychological services, increase the number of psychological rescue personnel, and built a joint psychosomatic rescue system for disasters, accidents, and epidemics. Establishing a psychological service system and developing a pool of multidisciplinary mental health service teams are essential to improve the capacity for crisis intervention. Strengthening the interactive system of popular science and health education may mitigate potential negative psychological impacts. We suggest priorities the needs of vulnerable groups with developing mental illness, including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in longer-term strategic programs.