How Should You Approach Earthquake Survivors?

How Should You Approach Earthquake Victims? Dr. Mert Akcanbaş states that earthquakes cause trauma affecting children, pregnant women, individuals who have lost loved ones, and people with mental illness, and emphasizes that certain statements should be avoided when speaking with earthquake victims. Earthquake victims should be approached with care, according to Dr. Mert Akcanbaş, who stressed that critical and accusatory language must be avoided, and phrases such as 'Time heals all wounds', 'Pray, you are alive', or 'Think of those in worse situations' should be excluded. Üsküdar University Faculty of Human and Social Sciences Department of Psychology Assistant Professor Dr. Mert Akcanbaş made notable assessments regarding trauma resulting from natural disasters. Dr. Mert Akcanbaş addressed statements that should not be used when speaking with earthquake survivors and the approaches that should be demonstrated. [caption id="attachment_149508" align="aligncenter"] Dr. Mert Akcanbaş[/caption]

Trauma develops unexpectedly

Dr. Mert Akcanbaş, noting that psychological trauma is defined as the condition that emerges following direct exposure to death, serious injury and sexual assault, witnessing such events, learning that such events have befallen loved ones, or exposure to the details of such events due to professional duties, made the following statements on the matter: "Trauma can happen to anyone. However, some people experience trauma without developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is not known whether the likelihood of PTSD has a connection to personality structure. The frequency and severity of PTSD symptoms a person develops can be measured through specific tests. The main characteristic of trauma is that it emerges suddenly and unexpectedly. Even if we know there is earthquake risk, we cannot predict its timing, so the disaster will occur unexpectedly."

PTSD prevalence rates vary by type of disaster

Dr. Mert Akcanbaş, noting that PTSD prevalence rates following various natural disasters in different countries show different data in various studies, continued as follows: "For example, PTSD prevalence rates in adults range from 4.1 to 67.7 percent, while for floods this rate is 2.07 to 37 percent and for major fires it is 9 to 36.7 percent. Following traumatic events, acute stress reactions appear first and these last 3 to 30 days following the event. However, if it lasts longer than 30 days, the stress becomes chronic and transforms into PTSD, creating the need for treatment."

Children and individuals with mental illness are at risk

Dr. Mert Akcanbaş stated: "The highest risk groups in earthquakes are pregnant women, women, children, children living in social welfare institutions, people with physical and mental illnesses, individuals who have lost loved ones, those with substance abuse problems, and personnel engaged in relief activities in the affected area. It is known that depression and suicide cases have increased following earthquakes experienced in various parts of the world."

Statements that should not be made

• Do not speak in a critical or accusatory manner, • Avoid using technical terminology in conversations, • Do not make statements about how victims are feeling, • Avoid explanations such as earthquakes being part of fate or divine will, • Refrain from statements such as 'Time heals all wounds', 'God does not burden a person with more than they can bear', 'Pray, you are alive', or 'Think of those in worse situations', • Do not make promises to victims that cannot be kept, • Do not force victims to talk,

The correct approach to be shown to earthquake victims

• Treat victims with respect, • Be available at all times, • Provide assistance in a quality and timely manner, • Show respect for victims' traditions and cultural values, • Protect the privacy of victims' private lives, • Focus on the needs of victims, • Answer questions even if victims ask the same question repeatedly, • Provide answers appropriate to victims' development and education levels, • Make efforts to enable victims to reach their families, loved ones, and their social networks that can provide support.