Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and Elsevier grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. The 2019-nCoV outbreak caused widespread infection and public panic, with over 24,000 confirmed cases in China and 490 deaths. The virus spread globally, leading to mental health stress and anxiety. Healthcare workers faced trauma and were at risk of infection, potentially leading to mental health disorders. The Chinese government implemented level 1 public health emergency responses, including psychological crisis interventions. Guidelines were released for psychological support for patients, medical staff, and the public. Peking University prepared a mental health handbook to help manage stress. Psychologists and psychiatrists used social media to provide advice on coping with mental stress. The government promoted public awareness through daily updates and online resources. Mental health care is crucial in the national public health emergency system to combat the outbreak. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health care into public health responses to effectively manage the epidemic. The authors declare no competing interests.Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and Elsevier grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. The 2019-nCoV outbreak caused widespread infection and public panic, with over 24,000 confirmed cases in China and 490 deaths. The virus spread globally, leading to mental health stress and anxiety. Healthcare workers faced trauma and were at risk of infection, potentially leading to mental health disorders. The Chinese government implemented level 1 public health emergency responses, including psychological crisis interventions. Guidelines were released for psychological support for patients, medical staff, and the public. Peking University prepared a mental health handbook to help manage stress. Psychologists and psychiatrists used social media to provide advice on coping with mental stress. The government promoted public awareness through daily updates and online resources. Mental health care is crucial in the national public health emergency system to combat the outbreak. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health care into public health responses to effectively manage the epidemic. The authors declare no competing interests.