New survey shows families of quake victims are still considering suicide

Four percent of those who lost relatives in the 921 earthquake still display an inclination toward suicide, and many of them are aged over 65, according to a study by the Tsaotun Psychiatric Center (草?梴蠷i院) in Nantou County.

Staff at the center, who surveyed a sample of 4,000 quake victims, said the percentage of people inclined to suicide had, in fact, dropped from 8 percent one month after the earthquake to just 0.75 percent now.

However, 4 percent of people who lost their relatives in the quake still have a tendency to consider suicide because of the trauma they suffered.

The director of the Tsaotun Psychiatric Center, Chen Kuai-le(3祐祤?/CHINESE>), said that among people over 65 who lost their loved ones, the number inclined to suicide has increased to 12.5 percent because many said they felt even more depressed after the Chinese New Year. The holiday is traditionally an occasion for family reunions.

Chen suggested that those who lost relatives seek professional help from psychiatrists and try to keep up regular contacts with the outside world.

To prevent quake-related suicide attempts, the Department of Health has announced plans to conduct a survey of all people in the quake-stricken areas.

The department has also set up a 24-hour toll-free number for people in need of psychological counselling to call for help. The number is 080-021995.

Professional counselling personnel at the Taipei City Psychiatric Center (台北市立療養院) will warmly greet callers, officials said, and attempt to help relieve their psychological pressure.