B2 Expression Neutral 3 min read

关注心理健康

Pay attention to mental health

Literally: Follow/pay attention to (关注) heart/mind-logic (心理) healthy/peaceful (健康)

Use this phrase to show empathy and encourage someone to prioritize their emotional well-being.

In 15 Seconds

  • Encourages prioritizing emotional and psychological well-being.
  • Commonly used in workplace wellness and personal advice.
  • Reflects modern China's shift toward discussing mental health openly.

Meaning

This phrase is a gentle but serious reminder to look after your emotional and psychological well-being. It's like telling someone to 'check in' on their mind just as they would their physical body.

Key Examples

3 of 6
1

Giving advice to a stressed friend

工作再忙,也要关注心理健康。

No matter how busy work is, you must pay attention to your mental health.

🤝
2

A company announcement

公司致力于关注员工的心理健康。

The company is committed to paying attention to employees' mental health.

💼
3

Texting a friend who is going through a breakup

这段时间你要多关注心理健康,别太难过了。

During this time, pay more attention to your mental health; don't be too sad.

💭
🌍

Cultural Background

Historically, Chinese culture emphasized social harmony and family duty over individual emotional states. However, since the 2010s, rapid urbanization and high-pressure '996' work culture led to a massive public discourse on burnout. This phrase became a cornerstone of the modern 'self-care' movement in urban China.

💡

The 'Heart' Connection

Remember that `心理` (xīnlǐ) contains the character for heart (`心`). In Chinese culture, the heart is where emotions and thoughts live, not just the brain!

⚠️

Don't Sound Like a Robot

While the phrase is great, using it too often can sound like a public service announcement. Mix it up with '你最近压力大吗?' (Are you stressed lately?) for a more natural feel.

In 15 Seconds

  • Encourages prioritizing emotional and psychological well-being.
  • Commonly used in workplace wellness and personal advice.
  • Reflects modern China's shift toward discussing mental health openly.

What It Means

关注心理健康 is all about prioritizing your inner world. In Chinese, 心理 (xīnlǐ) literally means 'heart logic' or 'mind logic.' It covers everything from stress and anxiety to general happiness. When you say this, you are acknowledging that the mind needs maintenance. It is not just about being 'crazy' or 'sane.' It is about the daily effort to stay balanced. It is a modern, compassionate expression.

How To Use It

You can use this phrase as a piece of advice. You can also use it as a statement of fact. It works well as a verb phrase. For example, you can say 'We need to 关注心理健康.' It is often seen in news headlines or social media posts. You can also use it in a personal way with friends. Just make sure the tone is supportive. It is not a phrase for joking around lightly.

When To Use It

Use it when a friend is burnt out from work. It is perfect for a heartfelt text message. Use it in a professional setting when discussing employee wellness. It is very common during 'World Mental Health Day.' If you see someone struggling with pressure, this is a kind way to bring up the topic. It shows you are modern and empathetic. It is a great phrase for deep late-night conversations.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this if someone just dropped their ice cream. It is too heavy for minor inconveniences. Avoid using it if you want to be sarcastic. It can come across as dismissive if used mockingly. Also, do not use it as a medical diagnosis. You are not a doctor; you are a friend. If someone is in a high-energy, party mood, this might kill the vibe. Keep it for moments of reflection.

Cultural Background

In the past, mental health was rarely discussed in China. It was often a 'taboo' topic. People focused more on physical health and hard work. However, the younger generation has changed this. Now, 关注心理健康 is a trending topic on platforms like Weibo. It represents a shift toward individualism and self-care. It shows that Chinese society is becoming more open about emotional struggles.

Common Variations

You might hear 重视心理健康 (zhòngshì), which means 'to value' mental health. Another variation is 关爱心灵 (guān'ài xīnlíng), which is more poetic. It means 'to love and care for the soul.' If you want to be more casual, you can say 心态很重要 (xīntài hěn zhòngyào). This means 'your mindset is very important.' All of these circle back to the same idea of inner peace.

Usage Notes

The phrase is neutral and safe for most settings. However, because it's a bit 'proper,' it's best used when you want to show sincere concern or discuss the topic seriously rather than in passing.

💡

The 'Heart' Connection

Remember that `心理` (xīnlǐ) contains the character for heart (`心`). In Chinese culture, the heart is where emotions and thoughts live, not just the brain!

⚠️

Don't Sound Like a Robot

While the phrase is great, using it too often can sound like a public service announcement. Mix it up with '你最近压力大吗?' (Are you stressed lately?) for a more natural feel.

💬

The 'Face' Factor

Even though this phrase is popular now, some older people might still feel 'loss of face' discussing mental health. Use it gently with older generations.

Examples

6
#1 Giving advice to a stressed friend
🤝

工作再忙,也要关注心理健康。

No matter how busy work is, you must pay attention to your mental health.

Using '也要' emphasizes that health is as important as work.

#2 A company announcement
💼

公司致力于关注员工的心理健康。

The company is committed to paying attention to employees' mental health.

Here it sounds professional and corporate.

#3 Texting a friend who is going through a breakup
💭

这段时间你要多关注心理健康,别太难过了。

During this time, pay more attention to your mental health; don't be too sad.

A warm way to show support during a tough time.

#4 A social media caption on World Mental Health Day
😊

让我们一起关注心理健康,拒绝焦虑。

Let's pay attention to mental health together and say no to anxiety.

A typical 'call to action' for social media.

#5 A humorous observation about a pet
😄

我的猫最近不理我,我也得关注一下它的心理健康。

My cat has been ignoring me lately; I need to pay attention to its mental health too.

Using a serious phrase for a pet adds a touch of humor.

#6 Discussing parenting
👔

家长应该从小关注孩子的心理健康。

Parents should pay attention to their children's mental health from a young age.

Used in an educational or advice-giving context.

Test Yourself

Choose the correct words to complete the sentence about self-care.

为了提高生活质量,我们必须___心理健康。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 关注

`关注` (guānzhù) is the standard verb used with `心理健康` to mean 'paying attention to' or 'caring about' it.

Complete the advice for a friend who is working too hard.

别只顾着赚钱,也要多关注___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 以上都是

Both physical health (`身体健康`) and mental health (`心理健康`) are important, making 'all of the above' the best advice.

🎉 Score: /2

Visual Learning Aids

Formality Spectrum of '关注心理健康'

Informal

Talking to a close friend about stress.

你要关注心理健康啊。

Neutral

General social media posts or blogs.

大家都要关注心理健康。

Formal

Government or corporate health initiatives.

本机构旨在关注心理健康。

Where to use '关注心理健康'

关注心理健康
🏢

At the Office

Discussing burnout with HR.

📱

On Social Media

Sharing a 'self-care' post.

🏠

With Family

Checking in on a stressed sibling.

🏥

In a Hospital

Reading a brochure on wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's slightly formal but very common in supportive texts. If you want to be more casual, you can say 多照顾自己 (take more care of yourself).

心理 (xīnlǐ) usually refers to psychology and emotions. 精神 (jīngshén) can refer to spirit or, in a medical context, more severe psychiatric conditions like 精神病.

Yes, it is very common to say 关注青少年的心理健康 (pay attention to the mental health of teenagers).

Not really a shorter version of the phrase, but you can just say 心态 (xīntài) to refer to one's mental state or attitude.

It is usually called 心理健康宣传月 (Xīnlǐ jiànkāng xuānchuán yuè).

Absolutely not. It is a very positive, health-focused term that emphasizes well-being rather than illness.

Yes! You can 关注 (follow/pay attention to) someone on social media or 关注 a news story.

A common mistake is forgetting the 健康 part. Just saying 关注心理 sounds incomplete in this context.

Yes, it is understood and used throughout the Chinese-speaking world, though regional slang for 'stress' might vary.

Only if you have a very close relationship or if you are discussing general company policy. Otherwise, it might be too personal.

Related Phrases

压力山大

自我调节

情绪稳定

正能量

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