Local authorities in Chengdu will soon be tracking the mentally ill by offering rewards of 350 yuan for information identifying potential patients.

The rewards system, implemented by the health bureau of Chengdu's Shuangliu district, encourages the public to be on the lookout for those who may be suffering from mental health issues. According to Weibo posts from several local hospitals, a tip-off is good for 50 yuan, with another 300 yuan available if the patient is actually diagnosed with a mental disease, Chongqing Morning Post reported.

The Weibo posts also offer 11 standards by which to judge whether a person may be mentally ill. The list suggests paying extra attention to those who have been previously hospitalized for mental illness, as well as those who speak nonsensically. Those who often smash things or attack others while sober are also on the list, along with people who are excessively suspicious and those who are exceptionally silent.

People can make their reports to health officials, local government officials or real estate property management employees, according to the Weibo posts.

An anonymous official with the Shuangliu health bureau told Chongqing Morning Post that mental patients' personal information will be kept private after they are diagnosed. The official also said that the rewards system aims to locate mental patients so they can receive subsidies for treatment. This is necessary because many families try to cover up the mental illness of relatives. The system may additionally serve as a warning to mentally ill individuals who are prone to violent behavior.

China was estimated to have about 180 million people suffering from mental illnesses in 2015. The number of registered patients with severe mental disorders was 4.8 million, Guangzhou Daily reported.