The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 10/08/2009 9:11 PM
The National Education Ministry, in collaboration with the National Commission for Child Protection, will build 32 trauma centers across the quake-hit West Sumatra towns of Padang and Pariaman, focusing on children, an official said Thursday.
Commission chairman Seto Mulyadi said last week's devastating earthquake will have caused deep trauma among children in the area.
"The centers will help heal children of their psychological illnesses resulting from the quake. We have found children suffering from insomnia, or who talk or scream in their sleep and are fearful of strangers or sudden movements," Seto told tempointeraktif.com.
He added five trauma centers were now in operation, and another12 would be set up.
“Our target is 32 centers, in both Padang and Pariaman," he said.
Seto suggested parents and teachers refrain from forcing traumatized children to go to school yet.
"Let them spend time at our centers until they mentally recover," he said.
Besides psychological counseling, the centers will also provide basic education material for children.
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