China's Growing Use of Psychiatric Hospitals for Dissent

Tue Oct 21 2025 13:22:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

**China's Growing Use of Psychiatric Hospitals for Dissent**

China's government is reportedly using psychiatric hospitals to silence dissent, especially those protesting against state policies.

A disturbing trend has resurfaced in China, where individuals protesting governmental rules are increasingly sent to psychiatric hospitals. This tactic, often used to suppress dissent, has been observed by the BBC with numerous confirmed cases. Zhang Junjie, a young man who protested against COVID-19 lockdowns, shared his harrowing experience of being forcibly admitted and treated without consent. Whistleblowers and activists have reported similar abuses, revealing how psychiatric evaluations are being manipulated to control political opposition. Despite laws supposedly protecting mental health rights, there is growing concern about the rising instances of involuntary hospitalizations, with the lack of accountability allowing authorities to bypass legal protections.

Zhang Junjie, while challenging China's harsh COVID-19 lockdowns, was hospitalized and treated for schizophrenia against his will. Following his protests, he was restrained, sedated, and subjected to harsh medication. Just a month after his release, he faced more police scrutiny after posting a fireworks video, leading to another forced hospitalization. Each time, his treatment was tied to his political views, reflecting a pattern where dissent is deemed a mental health issue. Despite legislation intended to protect citizens, such abuses are surfacing across the nation, perpetuated by a system that exploits psychiatric care to stifle opposition. Junjie’s experience is echoed by many others, raising alarming questions about civil rights and the integrity of mental health care in China.

Activism against these practices is growing, but the road to reform appears perilous, with many victims feeling powerless against a system that easily incriminates dissent. With social media lending a voice to these issues, the international community is taking note of the urgent need for reform in China’s handling of political dissent and mental health treatment.