Psychological support is being provided for the children that have witnessed the earthquake and its devastating effects. Li Jing tells us about a training program for counselors that was started at Chengdu Number 7 Middle School on Monday.
A psychological worker is comforting a student surviving this earthquake in Mianyang, Sichuan.
Before the program begins, the participants hold a one-minute silent tribute to those who lost their lives in the earthquake.
Then psychological experts train volunteers on how to provide the support that earthquake victims may need at this time.
Only volunteers who are already certified as psychological counselors at the national level are qualified to join the program. But they will receive further training before heading to the earthquake-hit areas to begin their work.
As time goes on, more and more students have suffered from panic attacks and other psychological problems.
A doctor at the Sichuan People's Hospital, Xiao Jun, tells a story about a little boy. The boy has a panic attack if someone touches his bed. And he often has nightmares of being trapped. Professional counseling will be needed to help him recover.
As for patients with less severe problems, experts say tender care and social support may be all that's needed.
But professional psychological help is very important for children that have experienced severe trauma to grow up healthy.
(CCTV May 21, 2008)