Mental health support for British nationals in China
Published 30 January 2024
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1. Disclaimer
The information contained in this note is intended for your general guidance only; it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. While all due care has been taken in compiling this information, accuracy cannot be guaranteed, and the applicable law and procedures may occasionally change. For these reasons, neither His Majesty’s Government nor any member of the British Consular staff can accept liability for any costs, damages or expenses which might be incurred.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998. Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK Government Departments and public authorities.
2. Consular support
Whenever possible we will seek your permission before taking any action on your behalf.
We can:
- listen to you and help you look at your options
- help you to contact friends and family members if you want to
- visit you in hospital or prison, if relevant, in line with our standard procedures
- raise any concerns about your treatment or welfare with the responsible authority (such as a hospital or prison)
- help overseas medical staff contact medical authorities in the UK who may be able to provide advice on your medical history
- give information about local medication suppliers
- liaise with your travel representative or travel insurance company, if you want us to
- give information if you plan to return to the UK
- be available, as appropriate, to offer you assistance if you choose to remain overseas
We cannot:
- give advice on mental health issues
- buy or supply medication for you
- pay for food, accommodation, medical bills, or your return to the UK
- get you better hospital treatment than is given to local people
- provide formal translation or interpretation of medical advice or documents, or act as an interpreter between you and the hospital
- get you discharged from hospital
- intervene in any local legal process resulting from a mental health emergency
- withhold or remove a passport
- hold on to or take responsibility for personal belongings
- stop you from travelling abroad
- make you return to the UK against your will
- stop you being deported if the local authorities decide you must leave the country
- give legal advice on Chinese mental health laws
3. What to do if you need help
3.1 Emergencies
If you need medical help urgently, you should call:
- 120 for Medical Emergency Hotline.
- 110 for Police if there is threat to self or others.
3.2 Less urgent situations
There is no GP system in China. For less urgent requirements, you may visit a mental health hospital or a general hospital with mental health department. In general hospitals, the mental health departments are not usually available out of normal hospital hours. Mental health support is still lacking in most cities in China. Though most cities have a designated public mental health hospital, or mental health department within a general hospital, the standards vary significantly from big tier one cities to smaller cities in rural provinces. In small cities, finding an English-speaking psychiatrist can be difficult. The Embassy can help you by providing lists of interpreters and/or lists of medical assistance companies.
4. Prescriptions: on holiday or recently moved to China
If you are on holiday or have recently moved to China and need a repeat or replacement prescription, you should contact a local psychiatrist at a nearby hospital.
Some medications prescribed in the UK may not be available in China. You may ask your doctor or medical professional for advice before you travel to China. Carrying a copy of your prescription can help doctors to find the exact or similar medication. Doctors will assess your situation before they prescribe even if you have a prescription from the UK. The Embassy can help you by providing lists of hospitals but are unable to recommend any particular facility.
You should also ensure that you have up-to-date prescriptions for any medicine that you are bringing into China. Drug laws in China are extremely strict and caution must be taken even with medication that you have been legitimately prescribed with in your home country.
If you have a condition and are on medication, please make sure you have sufficient medicine with you and take the medication on time, especially if you are going to rural areas in China where getting mental health prescriptions and access to medication may be more difficult.
5. Involuntary hospitalisation
In China, people with mental health needs may be hospitalised without their consent, if they are considered to be behaving in a threatening manner or need treatment urgently and are unable to make decisions themselves. The Embassy can help you by providing lists of lawyers if you need to seek legal advice on Chinese mental health laws.
In an emergency, police officers, close family members or employers can take the individual to a mental health facility for assessment.
The individual will be assessed by registered psychiatrists. If diagnosed as having a severe mental disorder, the individual will be hospitalised.
If the individual is unaccompanied, the hospital will usually inform the Embassy about the hospitalisation via the police. They will ask Embassy officials to inform the individual’s next of kin – in China, next of kin usually refers to spouses, parents, or children – to consent on the hospitalisation.
6. Costs of hospitalisation
You will be expected to pay the cost of treatment. If you need to be hospitalised in a state hospital, you are expected to pay a deposit before admission (usually around RMB10,000 Yuan). If it is involuntary hospitalisation and you are taken into the hospital by police, sometimes this deposit can be waived.
Medical costs vary between state and private hospitals. State hospitals usually incur lower medical costs, but English proficiency is not guaranteed. Private and international hospitals/medical centres with English speaking psychiatrists and psychologists are much more expensive.
Before you travel, make sure you have comprehensive insurance covering health care and medical evacuation/repatriation for the duration of your stay. Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance company to ensure your insurance is valid. Please view our guidance on foreign travel insurance which outlines what your insurance policies should cover you for.
7. Return to the UK
Repatriation under medical supervision is possible in many cases but can be costly and take a long time to organise. This is normally done through, a medical repatriation company and costs are normally covered by travel insurance or personal funds.
The British Embassy can assist with complex repatriations by linking up with Travel Cares and other Chaplaincies in the UK. These organisations, based at UK airports, specialise in assisting vulnerable customers on arrival in the UK.
8. Support from other agencies and organisations
8.1 Support available in China
| Organisation | Contact | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | +86 400 821 1215 | Hotline service offering confidential and anonymous support for individuals in times of emotional distress or crisis. Lines open 10am – 10pm, daily. |
| CandleX | info@candlex.cn | Non-profit organisation offering services for members of the local and international communities to find support for their mental health. |
| Samaritans HK | +852 2896 0000 jo@samaritans.org.hk | Hotline and email service for confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. |
| Suicide Prevention Services | +852 2382 0000; +852 2382 0777 | Suicide Prevention Service Hong Kong, provide hotline service for all including elderly and young people. |
8.2 Support available in the UK
The NHS list of mental health helplines has a list of organisations that can offer advice to those in the UK by phone. These organisations in the UK may be able to help you before you travel, or support family and friends in the UK.
Scottish Association for Mental Health
Shout: for support in a crisis
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)