Friday, 13 December 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
A three-day training programme on psychosocial care and trauma counselling of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel organised at its battalion headquarters in Jolly Grant, Dehradun concluded on Thursday. The training was conducted under the Indian Rescue Academy’s (ITUS) training calendar in which 50 SDRF personnel participated.
A similar programme was held for another batch of 50 personnel on December 4, making this initiative an extensive effort to equip the force with mental health and trauma management skills, the SDRF commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi said. He informed that the programme aimed to empower SDRF personnel with techniques to handle the mental stress and trauma they often face during disaster management operations. The primary focus was to strengthen their mental health while operating in extreme conditions and to provide them with strategies to manage psychological trauma effectively. He talked about the significance of such training programmes, emphasising their role in preparing SDRF personnel to tackle the challenges of rescue operations.
He said that such training not only enhances their mental resilience but also equips them to provide psychological support to disaster victims, ultimately making them more effective in their duties. He informed that special attention was given to teaching psychological first aid and mental safety techniques to personnel throughout the programme. Topics like the definition and types of trauma, its symptoms and effects, strategies to recover from it and essential behavioural skills were addressed in detail. This comprehensive approach aimed to enhance both the professional capabilities and psychological well-being of the participants.
Yaduvanshi said that while the training strengthens the mental health of SDRF personnel, it also enables them to offer immediate support and comfort to those affected by disasters. Trained personnel are now better equipped to handle the mental stress and challenges associated with disaster management, making them an asset in high-pressure scenarios. He stated that the SDRF plans to extend such training programmes to all its personnel, ensuring that the entire force is mentally and physically prepared for the demands of disaster management.
