The Chinese government has launched its first large-scale survey
on the psychological development of children and teenagers to
improve their mental health.
The three-year project would cover over 100,000 children aged
six to 15, focusing on their mental development in cognitive
ability, study ability and mental health, said China Youth
Daily.
The research, initiated by the Ministry of Science and
Technology and carried out by State Key Laboratory of Cognitive
Neuroscience and Learning in Beijing Normal University, involved
more than 80 psychological experts from over 40 colleges.
The project aimed to help standardize the evaluation of mental
health and compulsory education quality and to provide basic
statistics for scientific research in related fields.
The project was vital for the government in drawing up education
policy, said Professor Lin Chongde, of Beijing Normal University
and leader of the project.
China had more than 300 million children and teenagers, of whom
more than 40 million suffered mental disorders in cognition and
study, said Lin.
The report would be completed by the end of 2009.
(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2007)