Mental Health Law of the PRC (2013) · Yalla China
قانون الصحة النفسية (2013) / Mental Health Law of the PRC (2013)
Enacted: 2012-10-26 ✅ Effective: 2013-05-01
📝 Overview
Regulates mental health care in China, defining the rights of psychiatric patients and preventing involuntary hospitalization without medical justification.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
The Mental Health Law (2013) provides: (1) Voluntary admission: principle of voluntary admission for patients aware of their condition; (2) Involuntary admission: permitted only if patient poses danger to self or others, requires diagnosis from at least two physicians; (3) Patient rights: right to inquiry, challenge the decision, discharge on request or guardian's request; (4) Confidentiality: disclosure of mental health status prohibited without patient consent; (5) Foreigners: have same rights in mental health care.
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If you need mental health services in China, you have the right to consent to or refuse treatment unless you pose an immediate danger. Keep documentation of your treatment.
📎 Official source
National People's Congress of China
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026