Govt acts to offer trauma counseling<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health will set up a team to deal with adverse
\npsychological effects suffered by survivors of the disastrous
\ntsunami that has leveled parts of Aceh and North Sumatra
\nprovinces, claiming more than 100,000 lives.<\/p>\n
The ministry's director of psychological health, Yulizar
\nDarwis, said on Monday that emotional problems were starting to
\nstrike refugees in their makeshift shelters due to the enormous
\nlosses they suffered as a result of the calamity.<\/p>\n
The emerging problems range from severe to minor breakdowns,
\nwith symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, confusion, depression,
\ndelusion and excessive fear of water.<\/p>\n
Yulizar said the health ministry would collaborate with health
\nand doctor's organizations in a bid to come up with specific and
\nprecise working guidelines, including psychological and medical
\napproaches, to accelerate remedial processes.<\/p>\n
\"It's estimated that of the 605,000 refugees in Aceh, up to
\nhalf of them display potential to suffer from perpetual mental
\ndamage. And things can get worse unless serious treatment is
\narranged immediately,\" he was quoted as saying by Antara.<\/p>\n
The planned medical team, said Yulizar, would cost some Rp 1.3
\nbillion (US$140,000) for a three-month working period.<\/p>\n
Similar comments were expressed by Jo Rumeser from the
\nIndonesian Association of Psychologists and Lita Sarana from the
\nIndonesian Red Cross.<\/p>\n
\"The effects and the trauma resulting from such a tragedy vary
\nbetween ages, but the most difficult situations are mainly
\nobserved in children and teenagers who have lost their
\nfamilies ... not to mention the dead bodies they have witnessed
\nscattered about on the streets,\" said Rumeser.<\/p>\n
He said appropriate types of therapy that could be applied
\nincluded those using music, games, and a therapy to release
\nstrong sensitivity about things that remind them of the tragedy.<\/p>\n
\"Refugees must be quickly reunited with their families to make
\nthem feel secure and they must be involved in activities with
\nfellow Acehnese. Hopefully, it will help distract them from the
\ntrauma,\" Rumeser added.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he urged the government to equip health clinics
\nthere with counseling experts and maintain observation of the
\nrefugees for at least five years to monitor any long-term
\npsychological damage.<\/p>\n
\"These actions are important to create a strong generation of
\nAcehnese in the future. If we fail to do this, we will create a
\nweak generation of Acehnese who will have problems adapting,\" he
\nwarned.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Red Cross has guidelines for their volunteers
\nand workers on how to deal with mentally-disturbed persons.<\/p>\n
\"Never ask them about the tragedy, don't give too much advice,
\nand don't compare them with other victims who may be in better
\ncondition. Rather, spend time listening to their complaints and
\ninvolve them in distracting activities,\" said Lita.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, organizations such as Quick Response Action (ACT)
\nand the Belgium-based Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) are also
\nbeginning to lend a hand dealing with these psychological issues.<\/p>\n
ACT said it had sent 15 volunteers on Sunday to help deal with
\npsychological trauma faced by children, while MSF said it had
\nconducted counseling sessions with refugees.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-acts-to-offer-trauma-counseling-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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