A professional psychiatric health team from Shenzhen Kangning Hospital has been working to provide psychological counseling services to those who will spend the upcoming Spring Festival holiday in quarantine hotels in the city, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.
The move aims to relieve the anxiety and homesickness of those quarantined during China’s most important holiday for family reunions.
A Hong Kong-based resident surnamed Wang returned to the mainland recently and was quarantined in a designated hotel in Futian District upon entry at the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint. It was not easy for Wang to undergo the 14-day centralized isolation, as she has been suffering from anxiety disorder for a long time.
“I declared my medical history on a mental health questionnaire when I checked in at the hotel. What surprised me was that a mental health hotline called in and provided mental counseling service for me the next day. I felt so warm inside,” Wang told the Daily.
According to Wang, she experienced mood swings during the quarantine period because the activity space was limited and life was boring. Thanks to the counselors, she felt at ease getting through the quarantine period at the hotel.
A patient surnamed Zhang developed serious symptoms of depression and anxiety after a few days’ isolation. He was urgently transferred to the quarantine department of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital for treatment after the consultation of psychiatric specialists.
The hospital formulated a designated set of medications and a mental health treatment plan for him. “Thanks to the doctors and nurses of Kangning Hospital, my condition is currently stable and I am happier,” Zhang wrote in a letter.
According to research from the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic worsens people’s mental health problems, said Hu Chiyi, deputy president of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital.
Shenzhen has been aware of this from an early stage of the pandemic and initiated psychological assistance services for those who are under quarantine, according to Hu.
“A few people are still staying in the quarantine hotels and they might be depressed as they cannot return home to celebrate the Spring Festival. Therefore, we have recently beefed up mental assistance for them,” said Hu.