The number of depression patients in China recently exceeded 26 million, about 60 percent of whom never go to the hospital, according to China Mental Health Association.
   
Activities aiming to increase public awareness of depression and its treatment were launched in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhouon Monday.
   
Cai Zhuoji, director of China Mental Health Association, said that among depression sufferers in China, less than 10 percent get proper medical treatment. 
  
The diagnosis and medical treatment rates of depression in local hospitals are also very low, acknowledged Cai.
   
The association will organize experts to educate hospital doctors around the country about depression.
   
Ten to 15 percent of depression sufferers commit suicide, and anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of the suicides or attempted suicides in China have been attributed to the cause of mental depression.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2005)