Art as therapy

However, intervention resources, such as hotlines and community-level mental health programs, are still rare in China's rural areas, Lin said.

The suicide prevention center in Beijing introduced an application on its website that helps people express their moods and feelings through the use of color patterns. "This daily dose of artistic pleasure may help people in the rural areas who are unable to receive direct help from medical professionals, and it may also help those who are willing to disperse the dark thoughts by their own efforts," Li said.

Developed by a research group at the Human Computer Interacting Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, the app, called MoodJam, helps users to keep a record of their mental state by rendering different moods via strips of color.

"You can learn about the trends and colors you associate with specific moods, and you can share your moods with friends, family and others who matter to you. It's an effective form of emotional release," Li said.

In an attempt to formulate effective intervention methods, the center has also initiated a number of research programs to study factors that can influence the suicide rate. However, it will be several years before the results are known.

Meanwhile, despite the decrease in the suicide rate, the great challenge is to ensure that the decline continues and that potential suicides are given help as quickly as possible, according to Li. "Early intervention is crucial."

Zhang Beixi and He Na contributed to this story.