A campaign to promote public awareness of mental health issues has been launched in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, as mental illness has become a severe public health matter in China.

According to the World Health Organization, mental illness will account for a quarter all medical problems in the country by 2020.

Sources with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said China had more than 100 million patients registered with mental problems.

"Many were not aware of the problem and few received health care," said Wang Gang, a Beijing-based psychologist.

China has implemented a Mental Health Law since 2013, to address the rising public health issue.

By the end of last year more than 4.3 million patients with psychosis had established health records, of which 3.4 million had received public health services and 97.6 percent were in stable condition, according to a report of disease prevention and control progress in China.

Under the campaign, jointly organized by the Health News and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals (China), a series of activities including the establishment of a mental health website and public lectures will be held.