New challenges of psychiatry: the development of mental health service in Shanghai.

Shanghai has a population of 13 million. In past two decades, three levels of the mental health service have been developed. It was to meet the needs of the city. Acute cases were hospitalized in time. Chronic cases were rehabilitated in community bases. All these are under the system of planning economics. In recent years, China conducted an economic reform. Shanghai was facing rapid development, psychological problems increased, the mental health service system was challenged by the market economics, insurance policy will practised. The reform of the health service system was performed in some areas. The economic constraints became the main problem for mental health facilities. In order to meet the needs of a variety of social strata, it will be necessary to develop different services: 'The hot line', 'crises intervention', 'family member association', 'psychological consulting', 'self-help groups', liaison-consultation psychiatry in general health care etc. Augment services will adapt to the development. The drive will be for healthy living styles to raise public awareness of mental health.