Haiti Earthquake Aftermath - Emotional Trauma Awaits Haiti Victims
Haiti Earthquake Aftermath Brings with it the Horrible Emotional Trauma that Awaits the Haiti Victims
Haiti's devastating earthquake will leave emotional wounds, which will be the slowest to show up and the most challenging to heal. Remember how you felt (and still fell) about 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina? The post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that includes sleep disorders, depression, emotional numbing, substance abuse and so on, all come into picture.
Haiti was already the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere and then, this happened. In a place where basic amenities like drinking water, food, medical supplies and good roads are missing in several areas, the mental health luxuries that developed countries have, won't be easily (if at all they are) available to them. In the midst of a crisis, a vast majority of us find some mechanism to cope. Human survival instincts generally kick in, and this is happening with people in Haiti right now. It is only after several weeks or even months that the victims of the Haiti earthquake will start feeling the impact and shock of what has happened. When we talk about "post-traumatic stress disorder", "post" is the keyword. In case of any calamity, be it man-made or natural, the experiences related to danger and devastation faced by a person, are not easy to unlearn.
A number of relief teams and aid workers are pouring into Haiti from all corners of the world. These include some excellent doctors and mental health professionals too. Psychologist Raymond F. Hanbury, a trauma expert at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manasquan, N.J says, "They first have to see what people's more basic needs are. The victims aren't equipped for counseling now and the psychologists will be doing mostly assessment"
In most developing/under-developed countries, the social bonds play a vital role in day to day life. I can say this from personal experience. That social bond is very different from the one shared in countries that are developed. Stay in India, Africa or any similar place and then, you will know exactly where that "social-bond" differs.
Since the victims in Haiti won't have easy access to mental health care, this social bond would have played a major role. But an even bigger setback is that many have lost their families, and entire neighborhoods have been wiped out. Any country that is not "rich" in the financial aspect, is rich in its "social bonds". Now that this bond has been ruptured, Haitians will need help more than ever, as they face the months ahead.
Haiti Earthquake Damage Tales on Twitter & Facebook
New Body Scanners Breaking Child Porn Laws?
Source: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1954383,00.html?xid=rss-world-huffpo
Published by CB
- Massive 7.0 Earthquake Hits Haiti and Haitian Capital Suffers Serious CatastropheA Tuesday earthquake has struck the island nation of Haiti, sparking a Tsunami warning, and sending out a lot of fear that damage reports could be immense when they all come in from Haiti.
Crisis in Haiti:2010 EarthquakeAt 4:53 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude quake struck 10 miles from Port-au-Prince, the first catastrophe of the new decade. As morning sets in on Haiti, the s...- The Social Bond Theory ~ Examples and Benefits for ChildrenI have provided examples and information about the Social Bond Theory related to Criminal Justice System.
- How to Help the Haiti Earthquake Relief - a Must Read for Everyone Who DonatesHaiti, one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere, has been devastated by a massive earthquake on January 12, 2010. The fastest way to help right now is to donate to a Haiti Relief Fund that will help immedi...
- International Aid Launches Haiti Earthquake ReliefInternational Aid of Spring Lake, Michigan is launching a major effort through donations to get money to buy medicines, clinics and lab-in-suitcases to the earthquake devastated Haiti this January 2010 and its people.
- Pics of the Day: Haiti Pics, Haiti Earthquake Deaths & Damage Updates
- Haiti Earthquake Relief Tries to Get Raised in Time
- Haiti Earthquake: How to Aid Haiti Earthquake Victims and Donate to Relief Funds
- Where and How to Donate Money for the Haiti Earthquake Victims
- Haiti Earthquake Relief - How You Can Help!
- How Can I Help with the Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort?
- Current Update of 7.0 Haiti Earthquake Reports Significant Damage, Deaths
31 Comments
Post a CommentA very well presented article. It is always sad to read how these natural disasters effect the whole world but it also makes you realise that not everyone has a bad soul.
Thanks for sharing this. I pray that Haiti will have all the help needed to take care of the emotional wounds and come out stronger than before. God bless.
Thanks for the great article.
Great reporting!
You're so right. The social bonds of Haiti have been ripped apart...can't imagine the hell those poor people are going through and will go through in the future.
Very good-- gives a different perspective. Thanks!
Very good article. I've thought about the same thing because my degree is in mental health and I have a horrible fear of earthquakes. I can't imagine what awaits them and it is so sad. Hopefully at least some mental health profs will volunteer their services. I wish I had a grad degree and could practice. I would volunteer in a heartbeat.
Well written, covering both the physical an emotional aspects of this tragedy.
There is a family here in town that has 4 adopted daughters from Haiti and they are still awaiting word on the girls' parents. I feel so bad for them, not knowing if their parents survived. Natural disasters of this magnitude are so horrible and scary that I could not imagine. Good article, Rox
Excellent points made and so true. I think it's something to learn from when poor countries have social bonding. In this country, it's all about "me, me, me" and no one really connects to others deeply. I hope these unfortunate people have a much better future ahead of them. Good job!