Counseling teams arrive in quake area

BEIJING, May 16 (UPI) -- China's massive relief effort in its quake-ravaged Sichuan province includes a team of experts to counsel the survivors and rescuers.

A 10-member team is working in the area, Xinhua reported.

"Psychological relief is as equally important as physical treatment," Zhao Guoqiu, who heads the team, said to Xinhua. "To carry out timely psychological counseling for quake victims and forefront rescuers can not only alleviate their anxiety but also refresh them and encourage them to overcome difficulties."

The experts will be joined by a volunteer team of about 20 psychological recovery experts that has been organized by the Chinese Communist Youth League to largely work with the youths in the disaster area.

"The impact of the earthquake might affect survivors for a long time," Chinese Deputy Health Minister Gao Qiang told Xinhua. "Some people might not show any symptoms of psychological problems in the short term but might suffer from mental disorder in the long term."