Govt acts to offer trauma counseling
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.