Psychology

Surveillance, pressure, silence: Why China’s youth are falling apart

Spending at least the first two decades of their life in academics and all sorts of enrichment classes to get ahead, Chinese youths live in a high-pressure environment that is jeopardising their mental health. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang uncovers the dark underbelly of Chinese youths’ lives.

Li Kang

Controversial mind-body therapy attracts over 1 million Chinese seeking miraculous cures

Ajitai Health Group’s Mongolian mind-body interactive (MBI) therapy is captivating over a million Chinese with promises of miraculous cures. This controversial programme, blending modern psychology with traditional medicine, stirs debate between faith and science. While patients flock to its sessions for hope, critics warn of the dangers of its unverified claims.

Caixin Global

13 years missing, two children: Rescue or exploitation of mentally ill woman?

A case in which a mentally ill woman was taken home by a male stranger after he found her wandering the streets has dominated headlines and provoked outrage in China. After an investigation, the police used the term “taken in” to describe the way the man brought her home. The term sparked public backlash, with many netizens arguing that it diminishes the severity of the situation. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk examines the issue.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

[Big read] A ‘cyst’ in society: The mental health crisis behind random attacks in China

The recent rash of random attacks in China has prompted increased attention on mental health. What are the factors hindering people from getting the help they need, and what are some of the underlying issues that may manifest themselves in violent behaviour? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Daryl Lim finds out more. 

Daryl Lim

A Singaporean in China: How Covid brings out the worst in people

A spate of news of pet "cullings" and cruel acts against people amid Covid-19 lockdowns in China have captured widespread public attention. While it may be easy to classify the instigators of such acts as heartless, former journalist Jessie Tan believes that those actions may not be borne out of an individual's ill nature or will, but a reaction to the complex forces amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

Jessie Tan

Chinese economics professor: How I fell for a scam

After a good laugh over falling for a phone app scam, Chinese economics professor Li Jingkui says seriously that the scammers' tactics involved simple economics and he should have caught on to it sooner. But perhaps he was just being human and some knowledge of psychology would have been more helpful in this case?

Caixin Global

Families in Wuhan want accountability from those who covered up outbreak

With the lockdown on Wuhan about to be lifted on 8 April and the annual Qingming Festival just over, families in Wuhan are coming to terms with their losses. They want accountability from those who covered up the initial outbreak, even as they deal with the psychological impact of the coronavirus and lockdown.

Chen Jing