Cited by 1,992COVID-19 and Mental HealthTelemedicine and Telehealth ImplementationDigital Mental Health Interventions

Online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 outbreak

Open access
Liu, Shuai, Yang, Lulu, Zhang, Chenxi, Xiang, Yu-Tao, Liu, Zhongchun, Hu, Shaohua, Zhang, Bin·2020·The Lancet Psychiatry

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30077-8

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3 of 3 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • WeChat features various platforms, such as text or voice messaging, real-time video or voice communications, and payment.

    “It features various platforms, such as text or voice messaging, real-time video or voice communications, and payment”

    From Effectiveness of a videoconferencing group-based dyad acceptance and commitment therapy on the quality of life of chronic heart failure patients and their family caregivers: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [70]

    The main text describes WeChat as a communication programme and mentions WeChat-based surveys, counselling resources, and self-help interventions (page not provided). It does not specify text or voice messaging, real-time video or voice communication, or payment features. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • WeChat has been integrated into every aspect of human life in China.

    “and has been integrated into every aspect of human life in China [70].”

    From Effectiveness of a videoconferencing group-based dyad acceptance and commitment therapy on the quality of life of chronic heart failure patients and their family caregivers: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [70]

    The main text describes widespread use of WeChat for mental health education, surveys, counselling, and self-help during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. It does not support the broader claim that WeChat is integrated into every aspect of life in China. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Government-mandated physical distancing restrictions necessitated a rapid shift away from in-person mental health services to digitally delivered services.

    “Government-mandated physical distancing restrictions necessitated a rapid shift away from in-person mental health services to digitally delivered services (eg, teletherapy, videoconferencing, eHealth, and mobile health) [2].”

    From Synchronous Web-Based Psychotherapy for Mental Disorders From a Health Quality Perspective: Scoping Review (2023) · cites this paper as [2]

    The main text (page not supplied) says that virus transmission hindered face-to-face psychological interventions and that online mental health services were widely implemented in China. It does not attribute that change to government-mandated distancing restrictions or document a rapid shift from existing in-person services; its examples also do not establish every digital format listed in the citing sentence. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Researchers have called for such mental health research and policy regulations to serve all individuals more effectively.

    “Researchers have called for such mental health research and policy regulations to serve all individuals more effectively (7,17-20).”

    From A proposed framework based on literature review of online contextual mental health services to enhance wellbeing and address psychopathology during covid-19 (2020) · cites this paper as [19]

    In the paper’s main text (page not specified), the authors describe mental health surveys that could help authorities allocate resources and guidelines for psychological assistance. They also suggest online services could improve emergency interventions. They do not call for new policy regulations or claim these measures would serve all individuals. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Online mental health has advantages and possible disadvantages.

    “It is crucial to acknowledge the need and advantage of online mental health while being cautious to pay attention to possible disadvantages (8,19,20,24).”

    From A proposed framework based on literature review of online contextual mental health services to enhance wellbeing and address psychopathology during covid-19 (2020) · cites this paper as [19]

    In the section “Online mental health services in China during the COVID-19 outbreak” (page not provided), the paper describes online services as safe when face-to-face interventions are hindered and says they could improve emergency interventions. Our copy does not identify possible disadvantages or advise caution about them, so it supports only the advantages portion of the claim. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Liu, S., Yang, L., Zhang, C., Xiang, Y.-T., Liu, Z., Hu, S., & Zhang, B.
Affiliations
  • Qinghai No.3 People's Hospital (CN)
  • Nanfang Hospital (CN)
  • University of Macau (MO)
  • Wuhan University (CN)
  • First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University (CN)
Corresponding author
Zhang, Bin
Venue
The Lancet Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-04
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
e17-e18
ISSN
2215-0366 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3007805683
Cited by
1,992
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 64 · 2024: 98 · 2023: 214 · 2022: 403 · 2021: 581 · 2020: 603 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2013: 2
FWCI
180.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Lancet Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
Keywords
online mental health services, COVID-19 pandemic, psychological crisis intervention, anxiety, depression, stress, healthcare workers, public mental health, China
MeSH terms
COVID-19, China, Counseling, Disease Outbreaks, Emergency Medical Services, Humans, Mental Health, Mental Health Services, Pneumonia, Viral, Public Health, Telemedicine, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Coronavirus Infections, Internet

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