Chapter 2 Mental Health Guidance for Disaster Victims-2

Rescuers must pay special attention to the characteristics of different cultural groups when helping disaster victims.Ethnic minorities may be particularly affected because their houses are more vulnerable to damage due to their socio-economic conditions.Language barriers, skepticism of the government based on past experience, resistance to outside intervention or assistance, and differences in cultural values ​​can all create challenges for rescuers trying to help and gain their trust. Taking into account cultural sensitivity, disaster relief information and operational regulations should be translated into their native language, as oral as possible and able to be expressed in non-literal ways.Different cultural groups have different understandings of the words loss, death, home, family, spiritual experience, grief, ritual, mental health, and assistance.It is important for rescuers to learn from leaders and social workers about cultural norms, traditions, indigenous history, and community policies of the cultural groups being assisted.Working with trusted organisations, social work groups and community leaders can often help move relief efforts forward.Responders should take special care to respect, familiarize themselves with and abide by established rules.

As long as necessary treatment is continued, many survivors of mental illness can live relatively well after a disaster.They have the same ability to "strive to survive" as ordinary people, and can perform heroically in the devastation caused by disasters.However, for patients who were barely able to maintain (psychological) balance before the disaster, additional mental health support, medication or medical care may be required to maintain their mental stability.For those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) already, the stimuli of a disaster (eg, helicopters, alarm bells) may trigger associations with previous traumatic events and exacerbate the condition.

For survivors of mental illness, post-disaster mental health services designed for ordinary people are equally effective.Post-disaster stress affects everyone.Rescuers need to understand how people with mental illness perceive post-disaster assistance and services so that they can build bridges of communication. During a disaster, people recuperating in hospitals or nursing homes are prone to anxiety, panic and depression because their mobility is limited and they are dependent on first responders.Evacuation and resettlement disproportionately affect those with ill health or disabilities.Dependence on others for care or treatment can heighten feelings of fear and anxiety.Changes in environment, caregivers and routines can be very difficult for them to adjust to.

In evacuated or affected hospitals, support services are required for both staff and patients (convalescents).Care for these groups includes rebuilding familiar routines, arranging housing for recovery, arranging moderate household activities, providing opportunities to hear about disaster experiences, assisting in connecting with loved ones, and providing information on how to respond to a disaster. Those involved in all phases of disaster relief, whether from law enforcement, local government, emergency response organizations, or rescue teams, must do their best to meet the real needs of survivors and communities.In view of the different characteristics of disasters and the nature of work, rescuers may face various human tragedies and serious physical injuries.Over time, high-intensity work and direct exposure to disasters may have a physical and psychological impact on rescuers.They may experience symptoms of physical fatigue or become irritable, depressed, overly concerned, and less productive.There may also be cognitive effects, such as difficulty concentrating or making decisions.You can ask a psychologist for advice or help by following the coping strategies described in the next section.