Six counseling service hotlines were opened on Sunday by the regional health bureau in Urumqi of northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after the July 5 riot that left 197 people dead in the capital.

The hotlines will be operated by the regional psychiatric health center, the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonmous Region and the No. 1 hospital affiliated to the Xinjiang Medical University.

The two hotlines operated by the regional psychiatric health center are 24/7. The other four are in service from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day, according to the bureau.

The counseling service will be extended to families of the deceased, those who were injured in the violence and their family members, the bureau said.

About 60 psychiatrists will provide riot-specific counseling.

Another 40 counseling service providers will aid citizens with non-riot related issues.

Since July 6, psychological intervention has been provided to 156 people injured in the riot, according to the regional health bureau.

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2009)