Take threats against family seriously and seek an urgent professional assessment

Registration and consultation may cost several dozen to several hundred RMB, with half a day to a day accompanying the person to hospital. Persuading them to accept help can be difficult.

Article 28 of China’s Mental Health Law requires close relatives, the employer, or local police to intervene immediately and bring a person for assessment when a suspected mental disorder is accompanied by self-harm, danger to others, or a risk of those behaviors. A receiving medical institution may not refuse the assessment. Article 29 requires prompt assessment by a licensed psychiatrist and a timely conclusion. Article 30 makes hospitalization voluntary in principle, but provides for admission where a diagnosed serious mental disorder is accompanied by behavior endangering others or a danger of such behavior, without making the person’s consent a prerequisite. Threats themselves can be reported to 110. Under the public-security law effective 1 January 2026, threatening another person’s safety can bring up to five days’ detention or a fine up to RMB 1,000. Threats of arson, explosion, dangerous-substance release, or similar public danger that disrupt public order can bring five to ten days’ detention and an optional fine up to RMB 1,000.

The intended beneficiaries are cohabiting spouses, parents, and children, who may themselves be included in a threat. Close relatives have a specific role under the law; outsiders should report credible danger rather than attempt to impose treatment themselves. Assessment must respond to genuine risk, not serve as a way to punish an uncooperative relative or settle an argument. Article 35 provides that a reassessment or expert assessment finding no serious mental disorder prevents continued admission on that basis. If you cannot distinguish an angry remark from a credible threat, seek professional guidance or a police response. The Germanwings 9525 investigation found that authorities and the employer lacked information that would have allowed them to prevent the copilot from flying that day: neither he nor doctors, colleagues, or family had informed them. All 150 aboard died: two pilots, four cabin crew, and 144 passengers.

Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (2025). Revised Public Security Administration Punishments Law, Articles 29 and 50. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml; Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (2012, amended 2018). Mental Health Law, Articles 28–30 and 35. https://www.gov.cn/guoqing/2021-10/29/content_5647635.htm; French air-accident investigation authority BEA (2016). Final Report BEA2015-0125.en, Germanwings A320 accident of 24 March 2015 at Prads-Haute-Bléone. https://bea.aero/uploads/tx_elydbrapports/BEA2015-0125.en-LR.pdf.