China has published a set of principles to direct psychological treatment amid intensifying efforts to help quake survivors overcome mental trauma.

According to the Guidelines on Emergency Intervention in Psychological Crises, issued by the disease control bureau of the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, treatment must be conducted under the guidance of professionals.

Once started, the efforts must continue until those traumatized are not at risk of new problems, Wednesday's Beijing Times cited the circular as reporting. In addition, personal information about patients must be kept confidential.

The guidelines categorized people who might need psychological care into four groups: survivors; witnesses (such as rescuers); relatives and volunteers.

People who suffer severe trauma should be given more care and education should cover all those in need, the guidelines state.

China has been struggling to help thousands of people distressed and traumatized in the unprecedented earthquake that ravaged many parts of Sichuan Province last Monday. Many volunteers and experts have rushed to quake zones but psychologists are still in great demand.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2008)