Chinese people affected by the novel coronavirus can access to psychological counseling services via the Internet. The project initiators include China Association of Disaster prevention, the We Doctor Group as well as China.org.cn.

A doctor talks with his patient via Internet at Jiangsu People's Hospital. (Photo/Xinhua)

"I once participated in the psychological intervention of Xiaotangshan Hospital in the fight against SARS in 2003. I was well aware of COVID-19’s psychological impact on patients and front-line health care staff, so I called for the establishment of a psychological intervention center in Huoshenshan Hospital a long time ago," said Professor Zhu Zhuohong.

Professor Zhu, from the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is one of the project sponsors. He talked about his original intentions surrounding organizing the project.

Professor Zhu said that as the epidemic is so severe this time, various provinces and cities across the country have launched a first-level response, especially in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, where there is great pressure being placed on relevant groups in the process of allowing prevention and control of the epidemic.

Patients and front-line health care workers are all vulnerable to the emotional impacts. This point has become the basis for his campaign, stressed Professor Zhu.

Professor Zhu further introduced that his work mainly involves coordinating and organizing teams of experts as well as volunteer psychologists. Furthermore, he is responsible for carrying out one-to-one consultations and one-to-many lectures in conjunction with other relevant platforms. 

At the same time, he also trained volunteers of psychological counselors, supervised difficult cases involving counselors, and received special psychological help cases in Wuhan.

The expert lecturers pertaining to these projects mainly stem from universities as well as psychological research institutes, including the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Department of Psychology of Southwest University, amongst others.