There are measures that can be taken for the psychological trauma that both those living in the earthquake zone and those who are not in these regions may be exposed to. Experts told.
While the 2 earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş and their aftershocks caused great destruction in 10 provinces, they also affected millions of people, especially children, psychologically. While the Ministry of Family and Social Services sent psychosocial support teams to the region, the Turkish Psychiatric Association and the Turkish Psychologists Association started working by sending their experts to the region.
“WE ARE YET EARLY”
Clinical psychiatrist İbrahim Eke, who has been working in Hatay since the first day of the earthquake, told DW Turkish, “We are in the early stages right now. Normal reactions to an abnormal event are given now. It's too early to comment as 5 out of 4 of the city is in ruins. Earthquake survivors want to see 'we are not alone'. Psychosocial service is expected, but this is very insufficient,” he said. İbrahim Eke said, “At the moment, the acute period, the symptoms can be mentioned 6 months after the earthquake, traumatic stress disorder. "This does not mean that there will be no acute stress disorder at the moment," he said.
“THE MOST IMPORTANT EMOTION FOR CHILDREN”
Children are the most affected by the earthquake. Child Development Specialist Emine Ergün evaluated the steps to be taken for children both in the earthquake zone and in other provinces to Kıvanç El from DW Turkish. Ergün stated that the most important feeling for the children who experienced and affected the earthquake is “trust” and said, “An advantage for children with their families. For children who are not with their families, adults should accompany them, as well as people from the education community. Social workers, child development specialists and psychiatrists who will work in the region are very important.”
Emphasizing that children should not be approached as if nothing happened, Emine Ergün said, “They are aware of every situation. We don't have to play games. They observe some things that should go with the normal flow. There are children who are afraid and cry, we need to let them cry, we need to listen to their feelings," he said.
“TOY HELP IS IMPORTANT”
Pointing out the importance of including toys and children's books in aid to earthquake victims, Ergün said, “Professional staff who will use these materials and spend time are also important. Psychosocial studies are very important, educated people should do this. They notice the symptoms in children, play is a good healing tool, we can see everything.”
“WE SHOULD ANSWER TRUE AND REALISTIC”
Stating that there are steps to be taken for children outside the earthquake zone, Emine Ergün drew attention to the need to take different steps for children over 7 years old and under 7 years old.
Stating that it is wrong to isolate children aged 7 and above from earthquake events, Ergün said, "We must give correct and realistic answers to children about earthquakes." He noted that children under the age of 7 should be kept away from the screen as much as possible.
HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH CHILDREN?
Stating that the children who did not experience the earthquake would be worried, Ergün said, "Will our house be destroyed too?", "Will we experience the earthquake?" He said they would ask questions such as: Explaining that the answer to these questions is very important, Ergün said, “No, we should not give an answer as if our house is indestructible. We should give the correct answer. We should tell you that the house is safe and that we are taking precautions. We say to the children, 'we are in a safe place, we have an earthquake kit, we have safe zones in our house. An earthquake comes unexpectedly like rain or snow and we know what to do. Children should definitely learn what to do in the event of an earthquake," he said.
HOW SHOULD PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID BE DELIVERED?
The Psychological Trauma and Disaster Psychiatry unit of the Turkish Psychiatric Association (TPD) immediately started to inform the public in the region by conducting a study. In the study, "Confusion", "fear", "desperation", "guilt", "anxiety", "shock", "extremity", "change in religious beliefs", It was stated that feelings such as “not trusting oneself and others” can be seen.
In the TPD study, in which it was noted that providing aid such as health, food and clothing to the region is important in gaining the sense of trust of the victims, it was recommended to do the following in order to improve the psychology of the disaster in the victims:
- Basic needs should be provided and correct information should be shared.
- It should be listened to when they want to convey their own stories and feelings. He should not be forced to tell his stories, and he should never be forced to go into personal details.
- Those affected by the disaster should be helped to establish relationships with their close friends and loved ones, and they should be brought together with their other relatives.
- Provide an environment where they can meet their own needs
- It should be emphasized that there are necessary services for those who express fear and anxiety and report their different needs and that these services can help them. Services and rescue activities that people will need should not be publicly criticized
- Dictations such as “you will feel this”, “you should do that” should not be made to those affected by the disaster.
- Promises that cannot be kept should never be made.
WHAT TO DO 1 WEEK AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE?
Emphasizing that one week after the earthquake, people can still experience feelings such as unresponsiveness, helplessness and fear, in their study of the Turkish Psychiatric Association, “People affected by the disaster may not remember all or some parts of the event, cannot enter the house where the earthquake occurred, stay away from people, and may not want to talk about the event. Insomnia, irritability, irritability, excessive startle, palpitations, tremors, difficulty in breathing may be experienced. The feeling of guilt about the death of relatives may increase. In the study, which stated that all these processes are "normal", it was stated that this would decrease within 1 weeks, and if it does not decrease, it was stated that a specialist should be consulted.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FEEL BETTER?
In the study prepared by the experts of the Turkish Psychiatric Association, it was determined that those affected by the earthquake could do to make themselves feel better. These were listed as follows:
- Do not avoid talking to someone close to you who can listen to you. Maintain positive and supportive relationships with friends, family, neighbors.
- Don't try to suppress your feelings or sadness.
- Reduce children's exposure to images and videos of earthquakes. Adults may feel the need to watch the images sometimes, but watching images of destruction over and over again throughout the day will increase your psyche.
- Feelings of hopelessness are common. Therefore, do not use sedatives or alcohol, your sleep will improve in days.
“PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE READY TO COOPERATE”
The Turkish Psychologists Association was asked to contact the psychologists who will work online or in the region. In the statement of the association, “Considering that our psychologists in the provinces affected by the earthquake also need support, many of them are in the process of mourning because of the destruction and damage in their homes, and many of them are in mourning because of the loss of their relatives, it is important for psychologists to provide effective and efficient service without being supported while they are traumatized and to manage the process in a healthy way. It is not possible for them to be carried out in such a way”. For this reason, it was noted that volunteer psychologists were ready for cooperation.
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