Society

Psychologists called in to heal Yushu trauma

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-21 10:30

YUSHU, Qinghai?-?A mental health facility was established in Yushu, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Thursday to provide psychological counseling for the victims of last month's massive earthquake.

The facility will ease the quake-victims' psychological trauma.

Full Coverage:  Qinghai Earthquake Related readings:  Quake clean-up carries on in Qinghai  HK adds $38K to help Qinghai quake victims  Snow blankets quake-hit Yushu  Lasting legacies from Wenchuan to Yushu

The April 14 quake took the lives of at least 2,200, injured another 12,135 and left countless emotionally scared and reeling from the loss of family members and friends.

"It may take five to ten years for victims to recover from their psychological trauma. It is hard to heal such trauma without professional help," said Shi Zhanbiao, an expert with the Psychological Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The facility was established by the institute and the Qinghai Academy of Social Sciences.

It will help restore quake-victims' mental health, he said.

China's central government has allocated 9 billion yuan (US$1.32 billion) for reconstruction in quake-devastated Yushu this year, according to a statement issued after a regular State Council meeting Wednesday.

The meeting also established a three-year target for rebuilding homes, schools and roads in the county.

The Ministry of Finance will allocate more money in the second and third years.