Govt encouraging integrating counseling services to better serve public

The government is encouraging administrative departments and social organizations to integrate psychological counseling resources to better serve the public, senior officials said at a news conference on Monday.

Wang Bin, vice-director of disease control at the National Health Commission, said at the conference that the bureau has released guidelines to help different groups of people, such as non-infected people and those with suspected cases, and for medical staff to adjust their mental states.

The guidelines are available at the commission’s official websites and WeChat account.

“We are encouraging different departments, social organizations and communities to open hotlines to give psychological services to the public,” Wang said. “Also, more training courses will be given to social workers to secure standardized and effective services available to the public.”

She said that counseling centers set in universities and colleges are key to help relieving mental pressure on students at this time.

“As I know, some psychological associations are providing information and knowledge on self-help mental counseling,” she said.

She said that for most of the people, it’s important to enhance the immune system and have confidence that good results will be achieved in the fight against the virus, as the government has taken stronger prevention measures.

“It’s of great importance to remain calm and positive,” she said. “Optimism and confidence are the best immunity protecting ourselves.”

Yang Defu, Party secretary of Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, said at the conference that it’s quite normal to feel nervous and anxious while facing the pandemic.

“We suggest that people better understand this anxiety as normal psychological reactions,” he said. “Sleeping well, eating well, and living in a relatively stable place can make people feel safe and relieve the stress.”

He said that taking deep breaths, listening to music, exercising and chatting with friends also can help handle the stress.

“Calling for psychological help through hotlines is also an effective way,” he said.