Recently, the term “mental illness” has become a hot topic on Chinese social media. Videos of people wearing “patient gowns” from mental hospitals and dancing wildly at tourist spots have gone viral. Experts point out that this phenomenon illustrates the high levels of pressure faced by the youth today and reflects how the Chinese Communist Party has created a society where mental illness is prevalent.
During the National Day holiday, Chinese people, mostly young individuals, were seen wearing mental hospital patient gowns and dancing joyfully at scenic spots such as mountaintops, grasslands, beaches, and deserts, labeling it as a new way of tourist check-ins. They claim that in unfamiliar places, they can let loose and heal their “exhausted” mental state.
In Pingxiang County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province, a young woman named Li Yu (pseudonym) filmed herself and two friends wearing patient gowns, jumping around wildly and playing mahjong at home. She mentioned that embracing madness allows one to enjoy the world first, expressing that seeing similar online videos inspired her to join in for a fun and stress-relieving time with others.
A staff member from Enjoy Dream Travel Agency in Changsha, Hunan Province, shared with a reporter that after watching a video of a girl in Chongqing wearing a patient gown, it sparked the idea for their company to organize social trips where young people, strangers to each other, travel together. The response to these trips was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing that being able to go crazy and have fun with a group of people is a joyful experience.
Amid the current economic downturn in China, young people are finding it hard to envision a promising future. The soaring unemployment rates reported by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed the grim reality faced by the youth, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their prospects.
Writer Sheng Xue noted that the deteriorating economic environment in China has stripped the young generation of hope for a better future. She emphasized that the societal pressures are pushing young people into states resembling mental illness, with many struggling to maintain their mental and emotional well-being.
As major foreign companies continue to exit China and various industries face decline, reports of impending hardships and economic challenges dominate the media. The tightening job market has led to a decrease in hiring, salary reductions, and increased competition, leaving many individuals with uncertainties about their livelihoods.
Online discussions reveal the struggles of individuals in cities like Xinzhou and Anyang, with many resorting to low-paying jobs in sales or turning to alternative careers due to the lack of opportunities in their previous fields. The mounting financial pressures have left many feeling trapped in monotonous routines and uncertain futures.
The enduring hardships faced by residents like Liu Ming from Henan and Xiaoman from Guangzhou paint a picture of relentless efforts to make ends meet. The dwindling income opportunities in industries like food delivery reflect the fading prospects in once lucrative sectors, pushing individuals like Sun Jiayu from Shandong to explore new avenues for income generation, such as creating online content to generate revenue.
In response to the peculiar trend of “madness tours,” Sheng Xue analyzed that the Chinese government’s oppressive tactics are driving society towards a state of collective psychological distress. She highlighted the growing societal tensions and conflicts under the current regime, leading to heightened anxiety levels among the populace.
The facade of normalcy in Chinese society is fading, as increasing numbers of individuals are forced into precarious situations, struggling to maintain their mental well-being amidst the societal pressures. The “madness tours” reflect a deeper sentiment of discontent and a desire to break free from the stifling atmosphere created by the authorities.
As the younger generation in China embraces this unconventional form of expression, it underlines their shared experience of navigating through a society that overlooks their mental health needs. By shedding light on their struggles through such avenues, they aim to confront the reality of their existence in a society that disregards their well-being.