Over 600,000 in China offered mental health treatment in 2016

8.27 million people in China have been diagnosed with mental disorders, with 626,000 undergoing treatment through 2016, reports China Central Television.

8.27 million Chinese people have been diagnosed with mental disabilities, with 626,000 undergoing specific treatment through 2016. [File Photo: VCG]

Those undergoing specific treatments include 32,000 children with autism, 18,000 of whom were below the age of 6, while 14,000 others ranged in age from 7 to 17.

Stats from the China Disabled Persons' Federation also show 594,000 adults were treated for varying forms of mental illness in 2016.

Treatment services are jointly provided by professional medical staff, local community workers and the families of patients, including medical treatments, rehabilitation training and other support services.

Mental illness in China commonly includes autism, anxiety and depression.

Considered a medical issue in China until recently, mental health is now becoming a more socially-acceptable topic of discussion.

However, an estimated 30 million people in China are thought to be suffering from depression, though it's believed only around 20% choose to seek professional treatment, reports CCTV.

Experts are now calling for the creation of a new mental health network to link the health sector with community support services to help provide better assistance and information for people who might be suffering from mental health problems.

October 10th marks the World Mental Health Day. This year's theme in China is "Mental health and social harmony."