Chinese public dial in for support as coronavirus takes mental toll

A hotline operator for a free counselling service answers a phone while wearing a face mask, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China February 12, 2020. Picture taken February 12, 2020. cnsphoto via REUTERS

SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - Hundreds of 24-hour mental health support telephone hotlines have sprung up in China in recent weeks as millions of people fret about catching the coronavirus - and try to avoid infection by staying at home.

Medical professionals welcomed the launch of several official services in a country where mental health remains a relatively taboo subject, but cautioned that unofficial talk lines could do more harm than good.