Comparing models of mental health service system between Australia and China:implications for the future development of Chinese mental health service

摘要

Mental illness is recognized as a significant social and public health problem in China with approximately 16 million people affected with mental illness according to a report in 20021.In addition,approximately 30 million children and young adolescents are suffering from mood and/or behavioral disorders.The Chinese central government has already acknowledged the growing mental health problemsand prioritized mental health among other public health issues.This policy is significant indeveloping Chinese mental health system and promoting the reform of its current service model.As advocated by many experts in this field, a key approach for Chinese mental health servicereform is to integrate international experiences into the Chinese cultural context.Due to theuniqueness of Chinese history and traditional culture, specific strategies will， inevitably need to bedeveloped Chinese mental health service.This paper compares and contrasts mainstream mentalhealth service models between Australia and China aiming at examining the implications fordeveloping Chinese mental health service reform.