Left-behind children prey to mental ills

WUHAN - Experts are calling for better care and stronger intervention to deal with the psychological troubles suffered by children left behind in their hometowns by their migrant-worker parents.

A recent survey conducted by the Wuhan Mental Health Center polled 1,200 children who are in that situation. The results showed that about 14 percent of them suffered from psychological disorders during their adolescence.

Begun in October 2009, the survey interviewed 11,000 participants, including the children, who ranged in age from six to 14 and hailed from rural places.