Symposium--China and mental health.

Abstract

For one who remembers the old China both as a boy before 1911 and as ~ missionary from 1925to 1946, the changes that have come about since the founding of the People's. Republic of China have been extraordinary, both in their scope, their depth and above all in their speed. Consequently, when any new study of aspects of modern China is produced by visiting scholars from the West, the first thing looked for is a fair appraisal from the point of view of what appalling conditions had to be overcome in order to arrive at the present state of affairs. The carefully written reports of the 'Canadian medical and psychiatric workers have shown some awareness of the relationship of the dismal past, but more emphasis could have been given on the significance of the achievements in view of that past. For example: It!s ~oted that there are very few, if any, admissions to mental hospitals for alcoholism, drugs or personality disorders. China was Once one of the world's worst places for drug addiction (opium), and that problem has been totally eliminated. The ~riters have all, with good reason, emphasized that the new type of socialized society has greatly lessened certain strains and stresses which are one of the causes of many mental problems in a competitive, individualistic society. Aggressive competition in the schools isdiscouraged, mutual helpfulness is encouraged and pupils do not sink into apathy or withdrawal because of failure. The term is not in general use in Chinese schools. What used to be"failures" is now described as those who need the encouragement of more help. There are probably no statistics available, but it would be interesting to know