Local and overseas nursing experts are urging local medical schools and health authorities to provide nurses with more education in treating patients' mental problems.

Though universities and vocational schools arrange courses and practice in mental health nursing, they don't offer enough teaching hours and lectures are given by psychiatrists who have no experience in nursing, experts said.

"The city hasn't realized the importance of mental health nursing. Our teaching time is only one-fifth or one-tenth that of the West," said Yao Xinwei, vice director of the Shanghai Mental Health Center. "Mental care is not only effective for psychological patients, it is useful for patients in all departments."

Currently, nurses don't receive special training in mental care, said Yao.

When newly hired nurses arrive at the center, they can't start work effectively at once. Their professional knowledge and capability can't meet the requirements, he added.

Oversees experts agreed.

"Nurses don't just offer medicines and give injections. They are crucial for patients with psychological problems," said Lily Hsu, who teaches nurses in Hong Kong. "It is important that they learn how to support patients."

To improve the training of local nurses, Project HOPE, a Hong Kong-based charity, arranged the nation's first training course for university nursing instructors and nurses working at mental health centers. Two American experts were invited to give lectures.

The course was launched last week in the city and some 60 nurses and teachers from Shanghai and nearby provinces took part.

"Society and health authorities don't give enough understanding and support. Many nurses are reluctant to recognize their job for fear of prejudice," Hsu said. "We also found they don't have systemic knowledge and working methods on how to deal with patients who need extra care and professional guidance."

(Shanghai Daily July 20, 2004)