On Sept 17, the National Health Commission announced the establishment of a National Regional Medical Center for Mental Disorders at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (WHU). This marks the first clinical national regional medical center in Hubei province and represents a significant milestone in the hospital's academic development.

Founded in 1956, the Mental Health Center at WHU’s Renmin Hospital is the largest general hospital psychiatric department in China, with 348 beds, an annual outpatient volume of 300,000, and approximately 9,000 inpatient admissions each year. The center enhances its ability to treat complex and severe cases through a multidisciplinary collaborative approach.

The building for the Mental Health Center at WHU’s Renmin Hospital is under construction.

In terms of education, the center is recognized by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council as a doctoral and master's degree-granting institution and a postdoctoral research station in clinical medicine. It has trained over 200 students with master's and doctoral degrees and provided training for more than 3,000 grassroots psychiatric physicians.

In research, the center has been involved in over 10 national-level projects, including key national R&D programs and projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. In the past three years, it has secured 23 national-level research grants, published over 200 SCI papers, and obtained 25 authorized patents.

With its designation as a national regional medical center, WHU’s Renmin Hospital plans to develop a core "Five Centers and One Platform" framework, aiming to enhance regional mental health service capabilities and innovate system structures. Employing WHU's comprehensive academic support, the hospital will establish a high-standard center for mental health promotion and prevention, conducting widespread psychological health education, screening, assessment, and crisis intervention for all demographics.