PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
A day after the deadly flash floods in Khirgad devastated Dharali in Uttarkashi district, the mental health experts say that the survivors may be at risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With the State starting relief and rescue operation, the State Health department has become active to provide all kinds of medical assistance to the disaster-affected people.
The department is planning to provide required psychological assistance to the survivors to come out of the trauma the calamity might have flung them into. The Health secretary, R Rajesh Kumar said that the department is alert on the issue. “To help people come out of the depression and other forms of trauma, we have deployed three psychiatrists to Dharali to provide immediate counselling and psychological support to those in need,” he added.
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr Sona Kuashal Gupta said that the recent disaster might have scarred the survivors in Dharali. “The individuals who have been rescued may develop PTSD which involves reliving the traumatic experience and suffering from symptoms such as anxiety and panic attacks. To cope with these challenges, I may recommend that they be engaged in distractions so that their minds do not remain riveted on what they have undergone. To ensure this, they should be kept away from the disaster-related footage,” she added.
She further said that not just the survivors but those who have been watching the events and their aftermath through television and social media might also experience mental health impacts.
Speaking on the same issue, clinical psychologist Dr Pratibha Sharma said that those impacted by the disaster might face long-term trauma. “In simple terms, this condition, known as PTSD, can manifest in anxiety, insecurity, depression and stress. To mitigate these potential challenges, it is recommended that they seek counselling from psychologists and consider relaxation and acceptance therapy,” she added.
