The successful role of Chinese psychologists in combating the
psychological crisis brought on by the severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) outbreak is helping to change attitudes about the
scientific validity of psychiatry.
A
special anti-SARS team comprised of experts from the psychology
department of Peking
University and the university's psychiatric health research
institute have played an active role in maintaining stability in
the campus.
Wang Cixin, a senior student from the psychology department of
Peking University, said that SARS had caused many students to
became so panicky at the epidemic that they developed psychiatric
problems.
"Some of the students were too afraid to talk to others or go to
classrooms and libraries. Some washed hands innumerable times every
day. Some went nuts about various remedies against SARS."
Wang Dengfeng, professor with the psychology department of Peking
University and also vice-secretary of the university committee of
the Communist Party of China (CPC),
said that a healthy psychological attitude was indispensable
against the disease.
A
series of essays analyzing the harms of rumors and panic to
people's physical and psychological health has been published in
the hope of helping teachers and students adjust.
Psychiatry as a scientific field had a late start in China, which
has contributed to the doubts many Chinese people have held over
its validity.
But as society has developed, more people have become aware of the
importance of mental health. Many have turned to psychologists to
help ease pressure brought on by SARS.
Many teachers and students have had their qualms settled through
on-line psychological consultations or lectures about SARS. The
psychology department of Peking University has also opened a
special anti-SARS forum on its website to collect students'
problems, which will be published later accompanied by analysis
from experts.
A
psychological assistance hotline also opened during the SARS crisis
to help nervous citizens, isolated patients and their families, and
front-line medical workers.
Experts usually give specific advice, informing people of
scientific prevention measures, and how to distinguish factual
information from rumors and fake news.
Meanwhile, psychologists' opinions have also contributed to the
decisions of college and university authorities in the fight
against SARS.
They have advocated frequent and extensive publication of
scientific and authoritative information on SARS within the
campuses, which has helped control the spread of SARS.
The psychiatric fatigue currently overwhelming the public after the
alleviation of the epidemic was considered a result of long-term
mental tension.
Psychologists stressed that there should be no relaxation of
warnings and prevention work in case of a recurrence of the
epidemic.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)