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Chinese society widely agrees that attending prestigious schools can lead to high-paying careers and long-term happiness for children. Yet, in the pursuit of these objectives, a significant number of Chinese families are currently grappling with the challenge of educational anxiety. The data from the Program of International Student Assessment (PISA, 2018) reveal that Chinese students achieve high global rankings in academics, leading in reading, mathematics, and science. However, their life satisfaction scores, an important measure of mental health, are notably low. This situation indicates a trend where the increasing academic competition not only elevates the financial and time investments in education but also contributes to a rise in extracurricular tutoring and a significant academic workload for students. Several systematic reviews examining the occurrence of depressive symptoms among students in China found that, on average, 17.2% of primary school students and 28.4% of Chinese university students exhibited signs of depression.

In China, the focus on mental well-being of children and adolescents is highlighted in three interconnected policy frameworks: firstly, their mental health is recognized in broader national policies; secondly, it is a key focus within maternal and child health initiatives; and thirdly, specific policies are devoted exclusively to the mental health of this young population.

Studies indicate that mental health promotion programs rank among the most effective efforts within health-promoting school initiatives. Efforts have been made to address academic stress, with recent initiatives aiming to reduce the burden on students and promote a healthier educational environment. In July 2021, the "Double Reduction Policy" was introduced, mandating schools to decrease excessive homework and off-campus training, potentially alleviating academic pressure and enhancing students' psychological well-being.

With China's 9-year compulsory education program, primary schools play a key role in promoting and improving child mental health, serving as ideal venues for delivering related services. According to the ‘Work Plan for Mental Health in China (2011–2020)’, 85% coverage of mental health education was aimed to achieve in urban primary schools and 70% in rural areas by 2015. Additionally, it targeted managing the prevalence of mental disorders and increasing awareness of child and adolescent mental health from 30%–40% in 2005 to 80% by 2015. The plan also emphasized the importance of providing accessible information on mental disorder prevention and screening through primary care physicians. As per the revised ‘Mental Health Law of the People’s Republic of China’ that was enacted in May 2013, numerous provisions have been introduced concerning the mental well-being of children and adolescents. Psychologists and counsellors are mandated to be available in schools at all levels to address mental disorders and psychological issues. Furthermore, preschool educational institutions must conduct relevant forms of mental health education. In cases of traumatic events or other stressors, schools are obligated to gather specialists and provide psychological counseling and mental health support to children in need. On December 30, 2016, 22 ministries and commissions, including the National Health and Family Planning Commission and various others, collectively released the 'Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Mental Health Services' (‘Opinions’). It stressed the importance of improving the mental health service system in education, advocating for the establishment of counseling centers and the presence of mental health workers across all types of educational institutions, from colleges and universities to preschools.