Psychological aid needed to help people cope with trauma

A brutal incident in Fenxi county, Shanxi province saw an attack on a 6-year-old boy in an attempt to gouge his eyes out.

The child lost his sight and a column in Beijing News is calling for the establishment of a structure that allows psychological aid and counseling to be delivered (excerpts below).

For several days, Guo Bin repeatedly asked two questions: "Why is it always dark? Why is daylight not coming?"

Neither his parents nor the doctors know how to answer.

It's hard to imagine the cruelty involved.

Offers of help and charity have come in but he also needs expert counseling to deal with the mental, as well as the physical, anguish.

This type of care is too often overlooked after people suffer deep trauma.

What happened to him may be an extreme case but on too many occasions victims are left alone to deal with their mental pain.

A system must be developed that helps people at their most vulnerable deal with their situation.