CHENGDU, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A public relations official of a county that was one of the worst-hit areas in last year's 8.0-magnitude Sichuan Province earthquake hung himself at home Monday, the local public security authority said, citing an initial investigation.
Feng Xiang, 33, vice director of the public affairs department of Beichuan, which was devastated by the May 12 quake, was found dead at about 2 a.m., officers with Beichuan's public security bureau said.
Feng's 8-year-old son died in the disaster.
Feng was the third official known to have committed suicide in the quake zone.
He had worked hard in the disaster-relief effort and was promoted to the post in June.
"I'm shocked to hear of his death as he seemed normal when we talked about the publicity of quake-relief work at a meeting about a week ago," said Zhou Baoquan, information office director of Anxian County. "He did not look sad at that time."
Feng posted an essay, "Many Ifs", on his blog about an hour before his suicide, saying goodbye to his family, friends and netizens.
"If I die one day, my brother, please shoulder the responsibility to take care of our parents ... If I die one day, my wife, please do not be grieved. Depression has been my closest friend in 30 years. It takes me away and all my sadness ..."
His last reply to netizens' comments was posted at 1:16 a.m.
Feng attended a training course for officials involved in post-quake reconstruction in the scenic Jinggang Mountain in Jiangxi Province in December. The course included instruction on post-disaster mental health assistance.
Feng was interested in literature and had published articles in magazines or on the Web.
Police were still investigating his death.
He Zonghua, 40, director of the human resources and training department of the general office of Mianyang City, jumped from a 15th-floor hotel room in the city center in November after suffering serious depression.
Dong Yufei, 40, the agriculture commission head and disaster relief office director of Beichuan County, hanged himself in a temporary office in October. Dong lost his 12-year-old son and other relatives in the quake.
The deaths and suicides of some quake zone officials were attributed to anxiety and overwork, said psychologist Zhang Wei, deputy director of the West China Medical School of Sichuan University.
"County-level officials face heavy pressure as they have to satisfy superior officials and the public, but they are also quake survivors," Zhang said.
"More than 460 or one fourth of Beichuan County officials died in the quake. Even more lost their families. These officials need help from others. They need more mental health assistance."
The Sichuan government dispatched groups last year to 10 worst-hit counties to relieve officials' mental stress and ensure every official took holidays. The government also spent funds in improving the work and living conditions of the officials.
"I have to handle too many things every day," said Guo Yongfu, deputy mayor of Shifang City, one the worst-hit areas. "I do not allow myself to weep, although my only daughter died in the quake."
"When I'm asked what's going on with my daughter, I always say she is being treated in another province. I must bear the pain myself."
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