"Compared with suicide hotlines in other countries and areas, callers in Shanghai are younger," said Lin. "More psychological and mental health aid should be given to this group of people."

The center has trained about 100 volunteers that work in shifts for the 24-hour service.

But Lin said it has only scratched the surface.

"In Taiwan, a 24-hour hotline gets as many as 100,000 calls a year," he said, adding the center is looking for more qualified volunteer operators.

This year the center also began to offer public lectures on life skills in cooperation with the local government.

"Children should be taught to value and enjoy life. And parents should be told to correctly educate their children. And this is what we will do," Lin said.

Lin said his center will organize a series of education and training activities at local schools, communities and companies this year.

They will also start a site for suicide intervention and guidance on mental health.