Lonely struggle

At present, parents or relatives do not get government subsidy to raise mentally disabled people, although a small portion get 300 yuan ($45) each month in support.

A mentally disabled woman learns how to shoot an arrow at an event held by Huiling Community Center for the Mentality Disabled. Photo: Huiling Community Center for the Mentality Disabled

Zhang Wei, a professor who follows issues about disabled people, said poverty is the main enemy.

The city isn't any safer for this population, Meng said. When mentally disabled people are missing, police do not treat such cases with priority, she said.

Some mentally disabled people are forced to remain locked up by their parents who feel they are keeping them out of danger.