BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- "Secret troubles" are haunting Beijingers.

    According to the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, 600,000 of those aged 15 and above once suffered or are currently suffering depression in Beijing. Another 300,000 people often feel dejected.

    A survey carried out by the bureau shows that the incidence of lifetime depression is 6.87 percent among Beijing's permanent residents aged 15 and above, and people suffering depression in certain point of time account for 3.31 percent of the group aged 15 and above.

    Most of the people suffering depression are from groups who experience unhappy marriage life and domestic violence, have a lowlevel of education and low income and are jobless, according to the survey.

    The survey also reveals that 62.9 percent of depression sufferers have never visited doctors and only 5.8 percent of them have visited psychiatrists.

    To tackle the problem, the municipal health authorities launched a program to control depression several days ago, demanding all local doctors master skills to treat psychological problems.

    Several hot lines have been launched to offer support for the depressed. Enditem