The Nationwide Training of Counselors for Mental Health in Children’s Welfare Institutions was held in Nanjing from May 6th to May 16th, 2008, sponsored by the CCAA, financially supported by Holt International Children’s Services, Bethany Christian Services, Hope for Children, Adoption House, Christian World Adoption, etc., and undertaken by Jiangsu Foreign Marriage and Adoption Registration Center and Nanjing Children’s Welfare Institution. 49 staff members from 47 Children’s Welfare Institutions in 27 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) attended the two-week training, and were issued Qualification Certificate of Counselors for Mental Health jointly by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and China Association for Mental Health and Professional Certificate of Counselors for Mental Health by Ministry of Labor and Social Security upon passing the professional qualification exam.

The training was based on the professional standards and training materials nationwide and combined with lectures, reviewing, tutoring and hand-on practice. It focused on general psychological theory, basic psychological counseling theory and skills, psychological development status and needs of children in welfare institutions, emotional and behavioral characteristics of orphaned and disabled children, methods of psychological intervention and individual case counseling.

During the training period, the earthquake struck Wenchuan in Sichuan province on May 12th. Students of the training persisted in studying and understanding knowledge and skills in children psychology with high responsibility and devotion to their work. Zhong Mingyuan, a staff member from Leshan Social Warfare Institution in quake-hit areas, said she will apply to be a volunteer to go to the disaster zones after the training, contributing herself to releasing children from the shadow of fear and depression with the knowledge and methods just learned.

Last month, 2008 Nationwide Training for Physical Therapists in children’s welfare institutions was successfully concluded in Changsha. About 100 staff nationwide attended the training, and were issuednational professional certificate upon passing the exam.