China has its first batch of professional psychologists
following the award of 277 certificates by the Ministry of Labor
and Social Security in Beijing on Sunday.
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The psychologists are qualified to open clinics to provide
psychological services to the public.
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There are three appraisal levels for psychologists: psychological
advisers, psychologists and senior psychologists, said Zhang Chun,
deputy-director of Beijing Huaxia Psychological Education
Center.
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No certificates for senior psychologists have yet been issued, so
the psychologist certificate is currently the highest professional
level, Zhang said.
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The government will further promote appraisal and training work for
the nation's psychological services, said Dong Xiaonan, director of
the professional technique appraisal center in the Ministry of
Labor and Social Security.
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About 16 million Chinese are estimated to need help with mental
health issues, and about 30 million of the country's 150 million
minors suffer from "emotional obstacles," said Guo Nianfeng,
director of China Psychological Health Association.
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There are less than 3,000 people engaged in providing psychological
services, while in most developed countries there is one
psychological worker for every 1,000 people, Guo said. "China still
has a lot to do in improving people's psychological health care,"
he said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2005)