Sessions relieve stress as kids, parents struggle with aftermath

A child's picture of a nice house with two legs attracted the attention of Liu Zhengkui, assistant to president of the Institute of Psychology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, when Liu and six fellow psychological experts hosted a counseling lecture at Longxing Primary School in Lushan county on Tuesday morning.

The counseling was set up for 40 school children, but more than 200 students and 100 parents showed up.

"If the house has legs, it can run when another quake hits. Then no one will be killed and injured, and we don't need to sleep in the tent anymore," 12-year-old Wei Runda said.

"The boy's drawing delivered a strong signal that he does not feel secure. And so do the drawings of many other kids," Liu said.

"The first eight to 10 days after the quake are vital to after-quake counseling. If not handled properly, the short-term stimulus reaction will be easily turned to psychological problems or even mental illness," he said. "That's why we hurried here."

During the two-hour lecture, experts handed out three pieces of paper to each youngster and asked them to draw what their houses looked like before and after the quake, and how they will appear in the future.

"I was not surprised that more than 90 percent of the houses they drew after the quake are a total mess, while the houses before the quake all look pretty nice and neat," said Zhu Zhuohong, an assistant researcher at the institute.

"We hope through drawings to help the kids accept the reality that was changed by the quake, and remove negative feelings after making the comparison," he said.

They also asked the children to consider the process of how saplings grow up to trees that reach the sky.

"We are using hypnotism to some extent to help children further understand that if you want the rainbow, you must put up with the rain. And family members will always be their backup, no matter what happens," Zhu said.

As part of the program, students were divided into several groups and could use the opportunity to speak about their worries.

Liu Qi, 13, witnessed his two-storey home collapsing and the bleeding of the injured in his village.

"The scene was so scary and I refused to think about it, but it kept appeared in my mind. I dared not fall asleep at night. I slept less than two hours on average during the past three days," the boy said through tears.

"I felt much better after speaking out. Maybe I can have a sound sleep tonight," the boy said and let out a long breath.

Not only children need counseling. Adults, especially the middle-aged with children and frail parents to support, also need help.

"Our house completely collapsed, my father's leg was injured by a falling beam, and the food is only enough for tomorrow. As the breadwinner of the six-member family, I've never felt so depressed," Zhang Quanping, 38, told Liu.

"I really want to have a good rest to get rid of all the trouble, at least for a moment, but the whole family needs me, so I must be strong," he said.

Meanwhile, the Odeman Outward Bound Center, a Hong Kong-based NGO, hosted an event on Tuesday mainly for Lushan county Primary School students to provide psychological aid. About 50 children from 6 to 14 years old attended.

Long Qing, a teacher from the center, said: "What we do during mental health training is to encourage the students to be optimistic, confident and happy".

Long, said most of the students experienced the quake, and some of their family members were killed or injured.

At the event, Long and three other teachers tried to create an active atmosphere, with the children playing group games, making speeches and sharing their feelings with others at the gathering.

"Our goal is clear and simple - to make the children happier and reduce loneliness," Long said. "Psychological aid is not about teaching the children doctrines, but to make them communicate with others and lighten their mood."

Contact the writers at huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn, anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn and hena@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/24/2013 page5)