Govt acts to offer trauma counseling
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Ministry of Health will set up a team to deal with adverse psychological effects suffered by survivors of the disastrous tsunami that has leveled parts of Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, claiming more than 100,000 lives.
The ministry's director of psychological health, Yulizar Darwis, said on Monday that emotional problems were starting to strike refugees in their makeshift shelters due to the enormous losses they suffered as a result of the calamity.
The emerging problems range from severe to minor breakdowns, with symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, confusion, depression, delusion and excessive fear of water.
Yulizar said the health ministry would collaborate with health and doctor's organizations in a bid to come up with specific and precise working guidelines, including psychological and medical approaches, to accelerate remedial processes.
"It's estimated that of the 605,000 refugees in Aceh, up to half of them display potential to suffer from perpetual mental damage. And things can get worse unless serious treatment is arranged immediately," he was quoted as saying by Antara.
The planned medical team, said Yulizar, would cost some Rp 1.3 billion (US$140,000) for a three-month working period.
Similar comments were expressed by Jo Rumeser from the Indonesian Association of Psychologists and Lita Sarana from the Indonesian Red Cross.
"The effects and the trauma resulting from such a tragedy vary between ages, but the most difficult situations are mainly observed in children and teenagers who have lost their families ... not to mention the dead bodies they have witnessed scattered about on the streets," said Rumeser.
He said appropriate types of therapy that could be applied included those using music, games, and a therapy to release strong sensitivity about things that remind them of the tragedy.
"Refugees must be quickly reunited with their families to make them feel secure and they must be involved in activities with fellow Acehnese. Hopefully, it will help distract them from the trauma," Rumeser added.
Furthermore, he urged the government to equip health clinics there with counseling experts and maintain observation of the refugees for at least five years to monitor any long-term psychological damage.
"These actions are important to create a strong generation of Acehnese in the future. If we fail to do this, we will create a weak generation of Acehnese who will have problems adapting," he warned.
The Indonesian Red Cross has guidelines for their volunteers and workers on how to deal with mentally-disturbed persons.
"Never ask them about the tragedy, don't give too much advice, and don't compare them with other victims who may be in better condition. Rather, spend time listening to their complaints and involve them in distracting activities," said Lita.
Elsewhere, organizations such as Quick Response Action (ACT) and the Belgium-based Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) are also beginning to lend a hand dealing with these psychological issues.
ACT said it had sent 15 volunteers on Sunday to help deal with psychological trauma faced by children, while MSF said it had conducted counseling sessions with refugees.