Mongolia launches mental health hotline

ULAN BATOR, March 26 (Xinhua) - Mongolia has launched a 24-hour hotline for mental health consultation, local media reported on Tuesday, citing the country's National Center for mental health.

"Our mental health specialists will operate the new hotline with the number of (+976) 1800-2000 in three shifts," Lkhagvasuren Nasantsengal, director general of the National Center for mental health said, noting that the service provides answers to questions about mental health or mental illness.

Specialists will provide consultation on and diagnosis of various mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, phobias, screen addiction, insomnia and depression, Nasantsengal said.

In addition, helping people who suffer from mental health disorders will hopefully reduce the suicide rate in the country, Nasantsengal said.

According to official data, a total of 2,055 Mongolians committed suicide from 2012 to 2016, most of them male. Depression due to financial problems is one of the leading causes of suicide in the country.