Actress Zhao Lusi, known for her youthful charm and radiant smile, recently shared a personal revelation that has sparked widespread discussion on mental health in China. Despite her public persona as a symbol of beauty and success, Zhao opened up about her struggles with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
In a candid post shared on social media last month, Zhao revealed that she had been experiencing mental health challenges for several years but had initially dismissed them out of fear of letting down her family, friends, and fans. She spoke about the toll that the demanding nature of her career took on her physical and mental well-being, ultimately leading to a diagnosis. Following treatment, Zhao reported significant improvement in her condition.
Her decision to share her story has been widely praised, with many applauding her courage in addressing mental health issues openly. Zhao’s post has sparked a broader conversation about the pressures faced by those in the entertainment industry and the urgent need for greater awareness and acceptance of mental health challenges in Chinese society.
The conversation she initiated is timely and necessary. Mental health issues are a growing concern in China, with an estimated 54 million people suffering from depression and 41 million affected by anxiety disorders, according to a 2017 World Health Organization report. In total, around 173 million people in China are believed to have a diagnosable psychiatric condition.
While the prevalence of mental health disorders in China may not be as high as in some high-income countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the scale of the issue remains significant. Mental health services in China are still severely limited. For example, while the US has approximately 12 psychiatrists for every 100,000 people, China has just 1.7 per 100,000.
Zhao Lusi’s openness is a crucial step in breaking the culture of silence surrounding mental health in China, and it is hoped that her example will inspire others to seek help and challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness.
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