Minors are susceptible to mental illness. Failure to receive untimely identification and intervention to the patients can lead to severe and serious public health burdens. According to the “State of Children in the World 2021" report by the United Nations Foundation, more than 13% of adolescents globally live with a mental disorder. On September 21st, the project preparation meeting on concordant mental healthcare for minors in China was held at Shanghai Mental Health Center (SMHC).
Jiang Fan, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) Chair of the Deans Council, Xie Bin, Director of Shanghai CDC for mental Health, Zhao Min, President of Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shen Yuan, Vice-President for External Collaboration, Cheng Wenhong, Director of Children and Adolescents Department of SMHC and other leading guests attended the seminar. John Lichten, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of China Medical Board (CMB), Myron Belfer, Professor of Psychiatry of Harvard Medical School, Senior Associate in Psychiatry of Boston Children’s Hospital, Li Wenkai, China Chief Representative of CMB, Wang Yu, Deputy Director of CMB Beijing Representative Office, Sang Biao, President of Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences, Wu Zhihui, Director of Youth Shanghai Online Public Service Center, Wu Zengqiang, Professor of Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences, Zhou Qing, Deputy Director of Disease Control Branch of Shanghai Xuhui District Mental Health Center attended the meeting as specially invited experts.
Prof. Jiang Fan warmly welcomed all experts, hoping that this proposal can provide scientific guidance for residents' physical and mental health through resource integration and complementary advantages. Mr. John Lichten expressed great pleasure in participating in this seminar and fully affirmed the work of the team members in the research and preparation process. He is also looking forward to the formal implementation of the project in the future. Prof. Myron Belfer stated that the implementation of this project is expected to become a leader and role model for children and adolescents’ mental health service in China.
Prof. Xie Bin pointed out that after continuous modifying and optimizing, this proposal has become increasingly focused and hopes to truly help people with potential needs. Prof. Zhao Min expressed that the mental health of children and adolescents is one of the most important disciplines of SMHC, and the submission of this proposal is expected to bring considerable practical and innovative significance in the field of mental health.
