BEIJING - About half of urban psychiatric patients on the Chinese mainland who need hospitalization cannot afford it, said a veteran mental health expert.

Citing national research, Zhang Mingyuan, vice-chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, also said a quarter of the patients find medication too expensive.

Zhang, also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, urged the government to boost investment and efforts to give those in need full access to mental health treatment.