As the Chinese New Year approaches, the National Alliance For Post-earthquake Reconstruction (NAFPR
"While governmental construction plans are not clear, we hope victims in disaster areas can be strong by devoting themselves to rebuilding their homeland with social activists. If some depressed victims are reluctant to reach out, we'd like to send groups to their homes during Chinese New Year holidays to listen to them at home," said the alliance's deputy secretary general, Shieh Jyh-cherng (謝志誠).
Shieh said the alliance would spend at least NT$15 million to promote visits by social group members to single family households or community group activities. Shieh said that more funds would be made available next week, once the Cabinet-sponsored Disaster Reconstruction Foundation (
NAFPR's mental health experts stressed yesterday that mental rehabilitation would be the most important issue for depressed victims at this moment.
"Based on the experience with victims of the Kobe quake in Japan, victims start to sense real life pressure and think about the meaning of life after struggling to settle issues such as seeking jobs, housing loans or compensation. In addition, the coming Chinese New Year would remind them of lost family and controlled emotion might burst," said professor Chang Chueh (
Chang said that several domestic violence cases which have emerged months after the deadly tremor can be attributed to improper emotional control.
"In fact, victims' depression can be dealt with by voicing the fear bearing deeply in their minds. Reaching out for help is important not only for victims but also for members of rescue teams," Chang said. However, the Temporary Statute for Post-disaster Reconstruction, which will be announced (
"The construction work should not be carried out substantially only. Many groups with no professional psychiatric treatment skills delivered their sympathy (|P情?? to disaster areas instead of their empathy (|P2z??. That is not helpful to victims at all," Chang said, adding that previously counseling could not help victims with their specific needs.
"For people living in tents or pre-fab houses with bad living conditions, cultural rituals to calm them down or familiar entertainment such as traditional Taiwanese opera (
Previously, the government had sent classical orchestra ensembles to quake-striken areas to soothe survivors.
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Taiwan’s first drag queen to compete on the internationally acclaimed RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nymphia Wind (妮妃雅), was on Friday crowned the “Next Drag Superstar.” Dressed in a sparkling banana dress, Nymphia Wind swept onto the stage for the final, and stole the show. “Taiwan this is for you,” she said right after show host RuPaul announced her as the winner. “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and to live their truth,” she said on stage. One of the frontrunners for the past 15 episodes, the 28-year-old breezed through to the final after weeks of showcasing her unique