TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei launched a psychological support station Monday (Dec. 22) at Zhongshan MRT Station following a deadly attack that killed four people Dec. 19. The Taipei City Government Department of Health (台北市政府衛生局) will operate the "Peace of Mind Care Station" (安心關懷小站) through Jan. 1 at the R7 exit. The initiative offers free mental health consultations to residents traumatized by the violence.
The Health Department urged individuals experiencing anxiety or shock to use the program, which integrates comprehensive mental health resources. Deputy Director Lu Yi-feng (呂宜峰) of the Taipei Counseling Psychologist Association (北市心理公會) said four professional psychologists staff the care station. The psychologists offer approximately 20-minute consultations to individuals traumatized by the attack.
Lu said individuals requiring further assistance will receive referrals for the government's three-session free psychological therapy program available to all residents. He noted that feeling shocked by such violent incidents is natural and normal, and these traumatic emotions will gradually ease over time. The care station has already received multiple visitors since opening Monday, underscoring the necessity of this mental health service.
A Christmas tree beside the care station allows people to take cards and write their thoughts, prayers, and condolences for victims. Mourners have placed memorial cards and white flowers at Taipei Main Station M7 exit to honor the bystander, surnamed Yu (余), who died confronting the assailant, surnamed Chang (張). The memorial demonstrates public grief over the violent attack that killed four people and injured 11 others across two metro stations.
