It is also the view of many of my colleagues who are psychologists soc, social workers, and humanitarians, along with professors of the State University of Haiti – who have been to the ruined cities in The South, Grand’Anse, and Nippes regions. Images from the air depict some of the towns like Jeremie, Dame Marie, Les Cayes, Port Salut, and others in destruction.
Hurricane Matthew has demonstrated once more the vulnerability of the world’s first black nation to natural catastrophes.
The destructive path that is taking place in the south of Haiti. Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters
Post-traumatic stress
Natural disasters aren’t only a cause of physical effects. Suppose people are directly affected by events in which other people were killed, and they were fearful for their own lives. In that case, it is possible to expect people to experience extreme post-traumatic stress and symptoms of depression.
In survivors, we may notice recurring nightmares, psychological stress, difficulties in making decisions or concentrating, learning problems, depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as social dysfunction. Studies into the earthquake in 2010 have revealed these devastating effects.
The victims of natural catastrophes also experience physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, as well as chest discomfort.
Research after the earthquake of January 2010 revealed that, two years later, more than one-third of children, teenagers, and adults displayed extreme symptoms from post-traumatic stress disorders. About half of children and adolescents and greater than one quarter of adults also displayed severe symptoms of depression.
We are aware that time will not be used to heal the traumas caused by traumatizing events. Therefore, psychological support programs need to be developed to help survivors. Mental health professionals can help to develop therapeutic resilience among survivors without requiring people to discuss the incident.
Lessons from 2010
Since the earthquake of 2010, International NGOs have poured massively into providing psychological assistance for those who have suffered. However, our research has shown that these programs aren’t working and often were inappropriate for the culture of the time.
The events started at a point when the survivors were not willing to discuss the events since there was no physical, social or institutional infrastructure for the culture in this country. Everything was in disarray.
In these situations, it is necessary to create an environment that is acceptable to live in. The psychologist Alessandra Pigni wrote, “You can’t give people peace of mind if they don’t have a home.”
Aftershocks of the earthquake of 2010 in Port-au-Prince. Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
Only after re-building can people grieve and understand the events that have occurred to them. This is also the reason why, after natural catastrophes, few people go to visit psychologists employed by NGOs in camps for relief and also why the outcomes of crisis social services may not be 100% effective.
Long-term research of the populations that are direct victims of natural catastrophes, as well as the accounts we’ve received from the ground in Haiti, have proven that those who suffer the most require psychological help two years after the disaster after normal life is back. Unfortunately, at that point, psychologists and NGOs are from the scene.
So, how do we ensure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes as 2010? There are a few key lessons that can be used to guide us.
Beginning with the schools
Schools, along with the vital people that they house including students, teachers, and staff members – are excellent sources of first aid. In Haiti, there are less than 200 graduate psychologists and 30 psychiatrists for an estimated population of 10 million. It is, therefore, essential to help existing aid systems, like schools and families.
Teachers should be trained to assist children as they return to school is essential. Teachers must be provided with the tools to detect the distress of children, support them with breathing and relaxation exercises, and direct them to the appropriate services.