CHENNAI: Post Vardah, Chennai is now witnessing its worst ever drought. As these disasters hit the city, they can have a traumatic effect on people. Reports and research suggest that mental distress can lead to risk factors among people, following disasters. Countries like Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia have a distinct budget for training the mental health workers to face the psychological health consequences of disasters. But even after being struck by many disasters such as tsunami, 2015 December floods, Vardah and now drought, the city does not seem to provide for the mental health of people. Doctors say that disasters impact mental health as they are exposed to an unbearable situation suddenly. Though treatment and physical health aid are provided, not much is done to restore the mental health.
"The loss of life, property, status or transition during disasters affects the brain of a person in a way that they get into deep distress. When an unforeseen situation arises, the mind of an individual does not get enough time for adapting to the trauma and can fall prey to mental disorders," says Dr Vivian Kapil, a psychiatrist at Meenakshi Mission Hospital.
He adds that adolescents and elderly people are more vulnerable to such situations can lead to an increase in the amount of distress and mental trauma by a large percentage. In such age groups, there can be risk factors of committing suicides, depression, anxiety, alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder and can affect the physical health as well.
Indian Mental Health Policy, 2014, says that adequate attention of mental health consequences and provision of both medical and social welfare responses is necessary for a person affected by a disaster. But on the ground, the public health department lacks the infrastructure of providing with mental health as a part of disaster management after a crisis," says an official from the health education department.
Medicos say that the mental health of people, following disasters, need to be addressed as per the guidelines of psychological first aid by the World Health Organisation. As per the report, psychological first aid should be provided in the form of humane, supportive and practical help to the affected people, respecting their dignity, culture and abilities. Psychological first aid should comfort the affected people by talking to them, without pressurising them to talk.
