Chinese City Offers Psychological Counselling to Stranded Travellers

A city in eastern China is providing psychological counselling to thousands of anguished travellers stranded by severe winter storms, state media said Thursday.

The municipal government of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province has set up a team of 16 psychologists to provide "crisis intervention counselling", Xinhua news agency said.

"Weariness and anxiety could lead to the malfunction of people's immune system and result in psychological problems," Zhao Guoqiu, the team leader, was quoted as saying.

"It is very necessary to provide psychological help to the stranded, who are always under great pressure."

Across central, southern and eastern China, millions of travellers attempting to return home for the Lunar New Year holiday have been stranded or delayed as the worst snow storms in half a century have paralysed transport.

At least 64 people have been killed and 105 million affected by the traffic chaos, power blackouts or shortages of basic goods.

Zhao said the team is soothing nerves with "listening, smiles and patience."

Chen Wendou, a passenger seeking rail transport to Hubei Province to the west, was greatly relieved by the therapy, Xinhua said.

"After several nights waiting in the cold waiting hall, I was on the verge of collapse," he said.

Zhejiang has large numbers of migrant workers from outside the province who have come for jobs in its booming industrial sector.

Source-AFP
LIN/L