415 psychological counselors sent to Hubei
Xinhua
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A psychological counselor in Haikou, Hainan province, answers a phone call about the novel coronavirus outbreak on Saturday. (Photo: Xinhua)

China has sent 415 psychological counselors to Hubei Province to offer mental counseling services to patients and medical workers fighting in the center of the COVID-19 outbreak, He Qinghua, a senior official with the National Health Commission, said Sunday.

Eleven hotlines and seven online platforms have been launched to serve medical workers, He said at a press conference in Beijing.

"Focusing on medical workers on the front line, we have come up with targeted psychological intervention guidelines and measures for possible mental problems," He said.

A total of 613 free hotlines are now available to individuals seeking help for psychological issues during the virus outbreak, according to He.

Medical workers and the public can find tips for self-adjustment on the official WeChat account of the commission, He added, pledging further support for the mental health of medical workers and the general public.