Mental Counseling for Trauma Made a Priority

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Following the August 26 mudslide at Gyirong Port in Tibet, authorities have mobilized extensive mental health support for bereaved families, displaced residents, and rescue workers, including over 1,100 counseling sessions and dedicated communication lines. This comprehensive response, involving more than 210 psychological experts and tailored services such as bilingual self-help guides and frontline risk assessments, aims to address the ongoing emotional impact and ensure sustained care for all affected groups.

In the wake of the mudslide that struck Gyirong Port in Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, authorities have prioritized mental health support for those affected by the disaster, including families of the deceased and missing persons, local residents, and rescue workers.

The landslide occurred on August 26, prompting Shigatse officials to quickly establish a response team and implement a comprehensive plan to address the aftermath. Wang Fanghong, deputy head of the disaster emergency and rescue command headquarters and Party chief of Shigatse, reported that 587 family members have received accommodation and assistance, including 253 cases involving individuals reported missing or deceased. A specialized team of 70 psychological counseling professionals has provided care and support to these families through more than 1,100 sessions. Additionally, 1,220 personnel have been mobilized to support these mental health services.

To facilitate ongoing communication, authorities set up four dedicated phone lines for consultation services connected to the disaster’s casualties. These lines have handled 876 calls, with 448 from within China and 428 from abroad. Each inquiry has been carefully documented for follow-up.

Tan Xiangdong, Party chief of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Health Commission, stressed the vital role of psychological assistance in the disaster response. He highlighted that crisis intervention plans and tailored mental health services were formulated to meet the specific needs of various affected groups. Over 210 psychological assistance experts from the National Health Commission and other provinces have been assembled and stand ready to provide continued support in the region.

Local medical professionals, including Tibetan doctors, have been engaged in the effort, and specialists proficient in foreign languages have been assigned to communicate with families of missing foreign nationals. Psychological care is also extended to residents in relocation sites and rescue workers. At each resettlement area, at least four medical staff members are present to provide healthcare, disease control, mobile medical services, medication, and psychological support.

To address post-disaster stress, a Chinese-Tibetan bilingual pocket guide for psychological self-help has been developed. Interventions include listening, companionship, guidance, and comfort, with one-on-one follow-up sessions provided to specific families. As of midday on Wednesday, authorities reported conducting 966 psychological support sessions for displaced residents.

For rescue workers, psychological risk assessments are conducted promptly, with group and individual counseling offered as needed. A specialized pocket guide on emergency response and self-help for frontline personnel has been created, and a psychological service hotline (12356) is available to provide ongoing assistance for responders.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.