Residents in Inner Mongolia autonomous region can now seek help for psychological problems by dialing a special hotline, according to an announcement at the project’s launch in Hohhot, the capital of the autonomous region, Oct 19.

The ceremony was conducted by the health authority of Inner Mongolia and No 3 Inner Mongolia Hospital, also known locally as the Mental Health Center. 

The hotline, whose number is 12320, is ready to offer free advice 24 hours a day. 

According to Sui Xiaojie, dean of the No 3 Inner Mongolia Hospital, the hotline is based at the hospital with professional telephone operators in charge. 

An advanced computerization system ensures the privacy of the callers, Sui said. 

The services provided by the hotline include mental health education, psychological counseling, psychological crisis intervention and referral of high-risk cases, which are mainly intended for those who have strong intentions to commit suicide. 

The mental health hotline was first operated by No 3 Inner Mongolia Hospital in 2001, and was then combined into the Inner Mongolia Health hotline in May. The hotline now serves nearly 10,000 residents who claim to have psychological problems.