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Disaster Psychiatry - Operation Disha Project for the Tsunami Victims in the Andaman & Nicobar Island in collaboration with World Federation for Mental Health and Irish Aid (formerly known as DCI)
Just after Tsunami the Psychiatrists and Psychologists of SEVAC reached the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the leadership of Dr. Tapas Kumar Roy (Chief Functionary, SEVAC) for extending Psychiatric Care and Emotional First Aid to the tsunami affected people. In this context it is noteworthy that Mr. P.J.Garison, CEO of the World Federation for Mental Health and Mr. Justice Ranganath Mishra encouraged the SEVAC team immensely to take this challenge.
Thereafter, the Operation Disha Project was launched for extending long term service for the cause of the Tsunami affected people under the coverage of the Irish Aid (formerly known as Development Cooperation Ireland) supported programme. The World Federation for Mental Health also extended support to initiate the work.
People we came across
Wailing children who lost their parents/ siblings/guardians Helpless aged and infirm persons detached from their families Agonized adolescents who witnessed the death of their parents/siblings Male and female adults plunged into complete hopelessness after losing their spouses/kids/dear & near ones as well as all belongings/means of livelihood
Initial Action Plan
One Temporary Psychiatric Clinic was set into operation in each Relief Camp; Our Psychiatrists and Psychologists attended those clinics on a regular basis; Psychotropic medicines were given to the people who needed them; Arrangements for Counseling were made; The Psychiatrists and Psychologists held Group Counseling involving the camp dwellers, on a regular basis ; Paramedics, Nurses, Volunteers and Government Officers, School Teachers engaged in the Relief Camps were brought under Mental Health Training so that they could extend Emotional First-aid and refer the people, who needed Psychiatric/ Psychological care, to the SEVAC team.
Focus on Children and Adolescents
Since children and adolescents were one of the most vulnerable populations for developing future psychological morbidity, we emphasized on:
Primary support counseling, listening and clarifying. Engaging them in Play Therapy Involving them in the symbolic play and encouraging them with rebuilding procedures.
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Complete Devastation of habitats
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Seawater engulfs the habitats in city areas in Port Blair
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Thus two helpless children managed to find a shelter amidst the wreckage of their home .
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Play therapy session for the Nicobarese Children
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Residents of Hut-bay attend the Stress Management Clinic at Netaji Nagar
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Group Debriefing Session
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Mr. Preston J. Garrison, the C.E.O of the World Federation for Mental Health, and Dr. A. Banerjee, Chief Psychiatrist, SEVAC are in the Dandus Point Relief Camp
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‘Story Telling’ and ‘Sharing’ for the Orphan Children
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Mental Health Education Program for the Nurses and Paramedical staff of government hospitals
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Present Activities:
We have already built the capacity of the Anganwari Workers, Nurses, Paramedics and some NGO activists in respect of promoting the Mental Health Scenario in the Islands. Now with their support we have been organising awareness generation programmes at the community level. Department of Health A&N Administration, Department of Social Welfare, A&N Administration and Seva Bharati (an NGO of repute ) have been collaborating with us in this regard.
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