Another way to extend life: A discussion on mental health in old age

Author: Jiang Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: At the beginning of 2002, the Education Special Program Department of China Central Television (CCTV) included elderly psychological issues into its scope, fulfilling the historical responsibility of media professionals by presenting psychological knowledge through television to serve Chinese elderly people. This can be considered an innovative move. In one year, we have produced 44 episodes of "Talks on Elderly Mental Health," covering all aspects of elderly psychology. From the broadcast results, the program has not only been widely welcomed by the elderly but also recognized by professionals and has garnered extensive attention from society. Now, at the request of the audience, we have adapted the television program into a book to facilitate more people's learning and reference.
In the early 1980s, Zhao Hongzhou, a scholar at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, predicted that psychology would become a prominent discipline in China in a few years. The term "prominent" is borrowed from mining terminology, meaning "minable," and refers to disciplines with development potential. Over the past decade and a half, with the development of Chinese social life, mental health issues have been placed on the agenda of Chinese life, and psychology has become a prominent discipline. Correspondingly, the World Health Organization has also listed mental health as an important indicator of health.
In essence, humans have always lived in both the material and spiritual worlds, which should be one of the key distinctions between humans and animals. However, during the process of human life development, people have repeatedly neglected the spiritual life, causing imbalance in the two wings of life. In the so-called industrialized society, this issue may become even more prominent. Some scholars have predicted that in the 21st century, depression will be listed alongside cancer and AIDS as one of the three major killers of humanity. This is not an exaggeration. In China's current period of social transformation, this issue may be particularly prominent. China has entered an aging society since 1999, and the speed and intensity of this population aging have been unexpected for ordinary Chinese people. The rapid and drastic changes brought by this social transformation and population aging may have caused more severe psychological and mental adaptations for Chinese elderly people.
Therefore, at the beginning of 2002, the Education Special Program Department of CCTV included elderly psychological issues into its scope, fulfilling the historical responsibility of media professionals by presenting psychological knowledge through television to serve Chinese elderly people. This can be considered an innovative move. In one year, we have produced 44 episodes of "Talks on Elderly Mental Health," covering all aspects of elderly psychology. From the broadcast results, the program has not only been widely welcomed by the elderly but also recognized by professionals and has garnered extensive attention from society. Now, at the request of the audience, we have adapted the television program into a book to facilitate more people's learning and reference.
In China, both psychology and gerontology are young disciplines. Our editors and directors need to conduct extensive and in-depth learning to scientifically and accurately grasp life and disseminate knowledge in promoting the awareness of elderly mental health. We hope our work can be even better.