China:Psychological assistance on track in post-disaster reconstruction

Psychological assistance on track in post-disaster reconstruction
June 10, 2008

The Wenchuan earthquake was traumatic for people living in the region. "Regulations on Wenchuan Post- Earthquake Reconstruction," which will go into effect on June 8, stipulate that people's governments at all levels in earthquake-stricken areas should organize people and enterprises to begin self-help projects; actively resume production; and provide people with psychological assistance.

Mental health teams from Guangdong distributed stress-response questionnaires in Sichuan. The results show that 48 percent of people in disaster area have suffered from psychological trauma. Mental health teams found that approximately 50% of people who received intervention therapy showed marked improvement in sleep, emotional state, cognition, and other activities. Their sleep quality improved, they had a more stable mood and they were more active and positive. However, incidents of post-traumatic stress disorder can occur within a week to up to several decades after the disaster; and long-term effects need to be monitored with regular follow-ups.
At present, large numbers of volunteers and experts engaged in psychological trauma intervention have arrived in Sichuan from across the country. The psychological assistance scheme for post-disaster reconstruction has been launched in earthquake-stricken areas.

By People's Daily Online
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6427395.html