In Depth: Lockdowns Expose Covid’s Cost on Mental Health in China

Lan Juan, a volunteer during Shanghai’s lockdown, received a call on April 15 from a mother who sounded like she had reached a breaking point.

“My child self-harmed today,” the mother said, telling the volunteer that she had been unable to get a hospital appointment for him online, meaning they wouldn’t be authorized by their neighborhood committee to go out to seek treatment. Only a volunteer who could move around freely might be able to help.