- WeChat based online psychological counseling services established by mental health professionals in medical institutions and universities 
- free 24-h services with volunteers on all days of the week 
- Online psychological self-help intervention systems (online cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, anxiety, and insomnia on WeChat)
- Suicide prevention: AI program --Tree Holes Rescue, monitoring and analyzing messages posted on Weibo, and alerting designated volunteers to act accordingly 


Smith College

Different from the SARS epidemic in 2003, the prevalence of internet service and smartphone use allow the mental health professionals and health authorities to provide online psychological intervention services during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Several types of online mental health services have been implemented:
- online survey
- mental health education
- online counseling services
- self-help intervention systems
- suicide prevention


Online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 outbreak 


Liu, S., Yang, L., Zhang, C., Xiang, Y. T., Liu, Z., Hu, S., & Zhang, B. (2020). Online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(4), e17-e18.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30077-8


Online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 outbreak 

- mental health survey via the WeChat-based survey program--Questionnaire Star-- targeting different populations
- by age, location, occupation 
- the findings of the survey enable health authorities to develop and allocate appropriate treatments 
- online mental health education through apps (WeChat, Weibo, and TikTok)
- articles and short educational videos


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