Psychological intervention on SARS influence in Mainland China in 2003

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was the first severe and readily transmissible new disease to emerge in the 21st century (WHO, May, 2003). Mainland China was one of the SARS prevailing countries during April to June in 2003. In confront this severe situation, psychologists and professionals working in the mental health area showed soon reactions on it. The paper will introduce their work in the following aspects: (1) Psychological education. (2) Mental assistance hotlines. (3) Psychological intervention: The work has been done in three aspects, one was to help medical doctors, nurses and other staff who worked in the SARS wards. The second was to encourage the SARS patients facing the disease and fighting with it. The third was that giving bereavement counselling for the people who lost their relatives and friends for SARS. Except the above reactions, professionals have also taken a serious consideration on the disaster intervention system in mainland China. Several suggestions have been raised and they are devoting a great effort to promote new program for setting up the system.

Conference

English

Mingyi Qian

Qian, M. (2005, June). Psychological intervention on SARS influence in Mainland China in 2003. In Psychotrauma and EMDR in China and Slovakia, Part 1. Symposium conducted at the 6th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Brussels, Belgium