China's National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) held a promotion activity in Beijing on April 6 to raise public awareness about mental health.

The theme of this year's World Health Day was designated as "Depression:Let's talk" by the World Health Organization.

Wang Guoqiang, vice-minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission delivers a speech at the promotion activity of 2017 World Health Day.

Wang Guoqiang, vice-minister of the NHFPC and Dr Bernhard Schwartlaender, WHO's representative in China, attended the activity and delivered speeches.

Wang noted that mental health is an important part of overall health. Top relevant authorities and 21 national departments jointly released a document on strengthening mental health services in 2016, which put forward specific measures to raise public awareness of mental health and provide more services regarding it.

Wang said that health departments should push forward mental health services aimed at all types of people, set up service systems and train professional staff to raise people's awareness about mental health.

Bernhard Schwartlaender, the WHO representative in China, delivers a speech.

Bernhard Schwartlaender said that the number of people who has depression is climbing worldwide, but the condition does not symbolize weakness, since anybody may experience it.

"Everybody should lend a hand to the people who has depression," he added.

The activity released core information about depression. It is a common mental disorder, which can be healed, but sufferers may easily relapse. People who are depressed must be under a doctor's care.

What's more, making more friends, having a regular schedule with exercise and enjoying a healthy diet can effectively reduce the risk.

World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO, provides people with an opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.