Wenchuan earthquake victims face years of healing
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As the second anniversary of the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake approaches, reconstruction is nearly finished. But locals are still struggling psychologically with the disaster.
Zhang Wei, vice director of Sichuan University's Huaxi Hospital, said it would take at least 10 more years to conclude psychological reconstruction among quake-affected locals.
About 4 percent of quake-affected people are suffering psychotrauma, but less than 10 percent went to doctors.
"The conventional Chinese culture makes people feel shameful to admit they have psychological problems," Zhang said. "When it appears, they usually cover it with insomnia as an excuse and refuse to receive medical treatment."
Zhang said a long-term psychological interference system and professionals are needed to advance the psychological reconstruction process.
