Victim´s traumatic experience remains an issue

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Things might have turned out a little better if Feng Xiang had met with Liu Meng. Liu's a psychologist who went to the earthquake zone from Hebei Province right after the quake. And he is perhaps, the only non-local psychologist who has remained in the quake-stricken area during the entire past year.

Liu Meng, a psychologist, said, "Talking about Feng Xiang, many people would say another cadre in the quake hit area killed himself. In my view, it's different. It's that a father, lost his son commits suicide."

Liu Meng gets along well with his neighbors. They are mostly mothers who lost their children. Ms. Zhao's daughter was killed in the earthquake. Though pregnant again, she says sorrow is always with her.

Ms. Zhao said, "I do miss her very much. But I must try to restrain my sorrow. But it is impossible not to miss her. Mr. Liu doesn't talk about those things, he just asks how is everything now, and sometimes brings us together to sing songs. I am not good at that, so I just listen to the others."

Reposrter asked, "Does he sing, too?"

"He does..."

Psychological assistance has never been as popular as it is now after the Sichuan earthquake. Mental health care teams can often be seen in the quake zone. But not many of them have been able to stay over the long haul.

Liu Meng said, "Relationships are a necessary precondition for all kinds of psychological help. Some people say they worked here ten days and helped lots of people. In fact, they might not have established any relationships with the survivors, let alone provided help."

Liu says he has spoken with nearly twenty people who have openly expressed considering suicide. He has also spoken with countless other survivors who are still suffering from the negative psychological after-effects of the quake.

Liu Meng has requested sabbatical leave from his university. His personal savings and donations from friends are the only sources of funding for his important work.

Editor:Liu Anqi