Penny For Your Thoughts? Accessing Mental Health in Beijing

Trying to find mental help as a foreigner in China can feel almost impossible. Sure, there are a few groups that offer mental health support, as well as counselors and therapists who operate private practices, but what happens if you need a psychiatric assessment or accredited psychological support in a hospital setting? We spoke to Dr. Johanna Teiser at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) about accessing mental health support from an international hospital.

What are the services that BJU offers in terms of mental health?
BJU offers a variety of mental health services. First of all, patients of all ages are welcome to receive our services. We can support parents who seek help with their infants or toddlers and also offer services for adolescents and adults. Couples therapy and family therapy are also available. Our multidisciplinary team from the department of psychology and psychiatry work together in treating all kinds of different symptoms to ensure that you get the best care available.

What’s the difference between a psychiatric assessment and a psychological assessment?
A psychiatrist is trained to evaluate both the mental and biological aspects of a patient. The psychiatric assessment is based on the illness model and focuses on the clinical diagnosis. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication and may also use psychotherapy. Psychiatric medication is a specific choice for those patients that have a significant dysfunction and psycho-physiological disturbance. Psychologists focus on mental evaluation and specialize in psychological testing. Both assessments combined cover an individual’s functioning across a large variety of domains. Results from psychological tests, behavioral observations, clinical interviews, and clinical records will help to provide a clear picture of which kind of support is needed.

For those who would like to get an assessment, what is the process of getting an appointment with a mental health professional? How long does this process generally take?
After an initial session with one of our physicians, further psychological interviews or tests will be conducted. Most likely this process will take multiple sessions. While conducting an assessment, it is an important priority that the patient feels understood and at ease. In a first step, it needs to be verified whether treatment is really needed, if yes then the treatment goals will be defined. A systematic follow-up assessment will be part of the treatment process in order to ensure an optimal outcome.

Is there an age limit or restriction when it comes to seeing a mental health professional?
There is no age limit. Rather, seeing a mental health practitioner can be beneficial at any point in life. For example, someone feeling lonely or scared in their 80s, as well as a parent of a toddler with sleep difficulties, can benefit from seeking mental health support. We are here to alleviate suffering, however, or whenever, that is experienced.

Does the process vary for those with health insurance vs. those without health insurance?
In order to ensure the best outcome possible, a comprehensive assessment process will always be necessary. Depending on the insurance, different types or lengths of treatment sessions will be covered. Also, some insurance might exclude specific disorders. Thus, it is always advisable to speak to your provider and ask for details on health coverage. Parents should make sure that long-term health care treatments and therapy are part of their child’s health care plan when they choose an insurance provider.

READ: Date Night China: STDs, STIs, & Getting Tested in Beijing

This article originally appeared on our sister site, beijingkids.

Images courtesy of BJU