Stages of the 686 Program: Progress and Success
In three years of 686 program implementation, 60 model sites have been established in China, covering 43 million people. 419 training sessions have been conducted for psychiatrists, community doctors, policemen, community officers, and patients’ families with 52,718 people trained. To develop the capacity of the community mental health workforce, a tripartite training program involving Asia-Australia Mental Health, the Institute of Mental Health Peking University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong is currently training significant numbers of case managers for China.
In addition, an information system for psychiatric patients has been established. By 29th October 2007, 81,441 severe psychiatric diseases were recorded; 30,261 patients had been followed up regularly and received rehabilitation services; 11,641 patients have received free prescription medication and 2,083 have received free treatment.
Data collected from 42 sites showed that, from July to December of 2007, incidence of patients’ anti-social behaviour had decreased markedly.
Prof Yu Xin and Prof Ma Hong and their team are demonstrating that locally developed, culturally appropriate community mental health services can be a humane, effective form of treatment. A new national model of service provision is currently being formed.
Return to the 686 Program page.