The first Self-help Association for Lonely Elders has been established in Beijing's Shijingshan district.

The association is divided into several self-help groups, with a leader in each group, who is responsible for organizing various activities. The activities, including playing cards and chatting, help lonely elders release their emotions.

The elders also share food and cook together. Sun Qiuping, a member of the association, told reporters that she enjoys eating and cooking with friends in the association who are just like her family members.

The Self-help Association was set up after last year's suicide of an old man who lived alone in Shijingshan's Lugu community. According to Sun, the old man was in a bad mood but couldn't find anyone to talk to.

Now the association helps these lonely elders open their minds and participate in group activities, which makes them no longer lonely.