Rescuers and onlookers need psychological intervention as well It is a positive thing for people to become energized by helping others during this national disaster. Chinese citizens have displayed great sympathy and compassion. But on the other hand, it seems that our normal lives have fallen into disorder. Some people in Chengdu have stopped their routine shopping habits during this crisis and some overly emotional girls are doing nothing but watching TV and surfing the Internet at home.

Psychologist Tan Gangqiang from the Chongqing social psychology consulting committee.

Everyone, including soldiers and volunteers, needs some psychological counseling. We must address this disastrous earthquake rationally.

Rational sympathy Actually, helping victims to rebuild their normal life and work is the best way to show our sympathy and support. Sympathy is a good virtue, while immoderate sympathy often causes negative effects. Both compulsive sympathy and large sums of money are not what victims most need; instead they require unconditional love and compassion.

Environment change The scene of a disaster can quickly bring to mind victims' sad memories. We can help these unfortunates build a new future. More than 400,000 Mianzhu students currently have no school to hold classes. It's possible to rebuild some schools on their original sites for those students who do not want to leave their hometowns. For others we could transfer them to schools built in other cities that will sponsor their tuition fees and living expenditures.

Children require more love Weakness attracts extra love and attention. The children victimized by this earthquake are prime examples of our compassion. However, short-term counseling will not insure these children's ongoing mental health. They could easily experience post-traumatic stress symptoms, such as an acute dread of others or even exhibit anti-social behavior once counseling and care has ceased.

Adoption regulations The department of civil administration should amend the adoption laws in accordance with this special disaster. Rather than sending orphans to state orphanages, allowing them to join new families will help them with their personal growth and their future lives.

Accommodation problems, food supplies and educational planning are all connected to post disaster reconstruction efforts. Effective psychological counseling should cover all the above concerns.

(China.org.cn by Dong Chen, May 21, 2008)