The Mental State of China

·         http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid42806360001?bctid=85442809001

I chose to study the mental health of adults in China and how it is affecting children.  This topic is close to my heart because I was in a different state of mind when my son was an infant.  He spent four weeks with his dad and then he deployed to Iraq for a second tour.  His dad was killed in Iraq when he was 9 months old.  I of course was a mess, and my mental state was indescribable.  I decided to do some research on this topic.   I chose China because I once taught ESL for a summer there.

A few months ago, China was in the headlines because of a man who attacked some Kindergarteners.  He walked into the school and killed two adults and seven children.  This brought the world’s attention to the mental health state that China is in.  Doctors discovered that the men involved had prior mental health history, but it was ignored.  He was very depressed, and felt suicidal.  This man said he did this because he believed that this would be the greatest impact. He killed these children because the school would not pay more rent.  My heart goes out to these families of the children.

Nearly 20% of the people of China are suffering from mental illness.  China use to be a very introverted society, so people are just now confiding with others including their doctor about their mental state.  It use to be that people would think less of you if you said you are suffering mentally.  There are resources available, but some areas are still poverty stricken.  Change in China is happening one person at a time.

This example of the man who killed the Kindergarteners was an extreme example, but not too far from home.  I remember the Oklahoma City Bomber and the UNT Campus Shooter.  We are fortunate to live in the United States of America because of all the resources available.  It breaks my heart that little children do die everyday at the hands of some heartless and insane adults.    They were to young to defend themselves.  Stories like this make me value my role in the early childhood field.  I really take to heart standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves or are afraid to.

References:

“Mental Disorders Major Health Issue in China.”  Thaindian News.   Retrieved November 11, 2010 from

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/mental-disorders-major-health-issue-in-  china_100356394.html.

Tran, Tini.  (May 2010).  School Attacks Highlight Mental Health Issues.  USA Today.  Retrieved

November 11. 2010 from http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-05-14-china-mental-  schools_N.htm.