Chile: trauma and psychosocial care

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

  • aaab-mumandchild.jpgAlejandra del Carmen Ferrer Ferrer, 26, recently widowed by seismic activity, attends ACT-sponsored psychosocial workshops in Coronel, Chile. Sean Hawkey/ACT
  • aaa-IMG_5791.jpgNatural disasters cause significant psychological and social suffering. Many people were severely traumatised by the earthquake and tsunami in Chile. Sean Hawkey/ACT
  • aab-IMG_5985.jpgThe ACT response in Chile has a strong focus on psychosocial recovery. Workshops such as this one in Coronel help people talk about traumas and how to overcome them. Sean Hawkey/ACT
  • aac-IMG_5974.jpgAs well as the anxiety and fear generated by the earthquake and tsunami, the widespread social chaos and looting that followed is deeply disturbing. Sean Hawkey/ACT
  • aad-IMG_5970.jpgMeeting psychosocial needs is as important as fulfilling the obvious need for food, water, medical care, shelter and clothing. Sean Hawkey/ACT
  • DSC00230.jpgWorking with people in groups as in this community meeting is one of many approaches in psychosocial care by ACT members and partners. CEDM/ACT
  • DSC00245.jpgACT member CEDM uses role-playing methods to help communities deal constructively with issues generated by the violence and looting after the earthquake. CEDM/ACT
  • DSC00251.jpgAdults and children can be affected in different ways by major trauma, and for some issues are approached in different ways. CEDM/ACT

by Sean Hawkey

Natural disasters cause significant psychological and social suffering. In Chile there was a massive earthquake, followed by three large tsunami waves, followed by hundreds of tremors, any of which could have been another earthquake. People lost members of their family, many more lost their houses and possessions. Social unrest caused greater consternation, with looting by all sectors of society, violence, the burning down of properties. The combination of these issues has caused enormous trauma socially.

ACT members and their partners help people meet their psychosocial needs after a major emergency or disaster.

The psychological and social impacts of emergencies are usually acute in the short term, but they can also undermine the long-term mental health and psychosocial well-being of the affected population.

Meeting these needs is as important as fulfilling the obvious need for food, water, medical care, shelter and clothing.

These photos show some of the psychosocial work being done near Concepción, Chile, by ACT members and their partners, in psychosocial workshops, trauma counselling and conflict resolution workshops.