GORNO-ALTAISK, December 29 (Itar-Tass) — Psychologists from the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations have helped residents of Tuva, who were in a state of shock following a major quake overnight to Wednesday, sources from the republican ministry for youth and sports told Tass on Thursday.
The head of the ministry, Uran-kys Ondar organized the assistance of professional psychologists. A station of psychological help was opened for residents of Tuva’s capital, where emergencies ministry’s specialists work round-the-clock to help people in a state of shock. Over 100 people spent last night at the station. This is less than on the night of the quake, which made people flee their houses. The minister noted that psychological problems of the people, who had gone through such an experience for the first time, still remained. A lot of people are afraid from getting back to their apartment, fearing new earth tremors.
The minister hailed professionalism of psychologists, who find necessary words to allay fears and make people feel confident that all hardships are behind. For many people just one conversation with psychologists was enough to calm down and feel that life goes on, Uran-kys Ondar said.
Emergencies ministry specialists organized training sessions for psychologists from Kyzyl schools, teaching them to speak with people and answer their questions.