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
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
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 (
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