Psychological support after natural disasters: Not a pipe dream

The emergency support of food, clean water, and medicine from people across the country to the Central provinces has helped people and students to overcome the difficulties after natural disasters and floods. However, there is another issue that is equally necessary: ​​psychological support.

SO MANY WORRIES AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS

Huynh Cong Thanh, a student majoring in economic law at a university in Ho Chi Minh City, whose hometown is in Binh Khanh village, Dien Lac commune, Khanh Hoa province, is still haunted by the phone call from his parents at 2 a.m. on November 20: "The water is in the yard, son." He stayed up all night, praying for everyone in his hometown to be safe.

Teachers at Vinh Thanh Primary School (Western Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province) try to find learning equipment left after the flood. Teachers and students are all in need of material and spiritual support after the natural disaster.

PHOTO: BA DUY

Thanh said that after the flood receded, he felt the anxiety and pressure of paying for living expenses and children's tuition, not only in his family but also in many other families. People's incomes decreased while they had to repair their houses and still have to worry about paying for their children's tuition. It was like a whole year of nothing was done.

"I don't want to have to put my studies on hold. I have to make progress so that I can take care of my family in the future. But I'm afraid that the flood situation will repeat itself every year, and students will have a hard time paying for tuition, living expenses, medicine, etc.", Thanh said.

Ms. Huynh Ngoc Dieu Ngan, in Dong Xuan commune, Dak Lak (formerly Phu Yen province), whose house was severely damaged after the flood, said that the surrounding village was desolate and desolate. In particular, many schools were severely damaged, and computer rooms were completely destroyed. Children's education in the coming time will be extremely difficult. It is inevitable that people are worried.

In the coming time, I hope that psychological and educational agencies and units will organize activities and programs to help students recover psychologically after natural disasters. These could be sharing sessions, training on skills, and exchanges so that children have a scientific basis and more psychological and spiritual support after the incident.

Mr. NGUYEN MINH DANG KHOI, (Southern Institute for Applied Research in Psychology and Education)

Ms. Luu Ngoc Thanh Thao, a psychology student at Saigon International University, believes that students and vulnerable people need to be cared for after natural disasters. Support is not only through scholarships and material things, but also through spirit, encouragement, and psychological support to overcome shocks. Especially for students who have lost loved ones after the floods. "Many teachers in the field of psychology are initiating remote counseling and psychological support activities for students, students, and the community of teachers in disaster areas," Thao said.

MORE PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED TO HELP STUDENTS RECOVER MENTALLY AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS

Mr. Nguyen Minh Dang Khoi, Permanent Deputy Director of the Southern Institute for Applied Research in Psychology and Education, affirmed: "Caring about the psychology of students and teachers in flood-affected areas is not unrealistic."

According to Mr. Khoi, when students, teachers, and even parents face loss and grief in terms of both people and property, it is understandable that they experience shock and psychological trauma.

Mr. Khoi said that in recent days, the State's relief and the urgent shipments of necessities from benefactors to the flood-hit areas of the Central region have proven one thing: our people are extremely united and affectionate, no one is left behind. Food, clothes, cash, books, school supplies for students, and livelihood support during the post-flood recovery period are practical support for the people - who are also teachers and parents. When parents and teachers are confident, they will be able to revive classrooms and student communities in difficult circumstances.

Mr. Khoi believes that students need encouragement even more now. Learning is a long, lifelong journey. They may finish the school year late, their revision and exams may be interrupted, but they are still receiving support from the community. Therefore, nurturing hope and effort in each student is very necessary at this time.

Cleaning up schools after storms and floods. Floods in the South Central and Central Highlands provinces have caused heavy damage to the education sector, estimated at nearly 100 billion VND.

Photo: Ba Duy

"I always believe that circumstances will create motivation and forge students with great aspirations and will. No matter what field they study or pursue, they will aim for sustainable development, local economic development that adapts to climate change...", Mr. Khoi said.

"I hope that in the coming time, psychological and educational agencies and units will organize activities and programs to help students recover psychologically after natural disasters. These could be sharing sessions, training on skills, and exchanges so that children have a scientific basis and more psychological and spiritual support after the incident. Material and spiritual care during the period when Tet and spring are approaching also creates great motivation for people," Mr. Khoi shared.

At the same time, Mr. Khoi emphasized that education on survival skills and disaster prevention needs to be given more attention in local education programs, especially in areas where natural disasters frequently occur.

Dr. Phan Thi Lan Vien, Head of the Child Safety Project at the Center for Healthcare Innovation Research (CHIR), said that when participating in a recent sharing session by Master Pham Truong Son, a lecturer in social work, she appreciated many messages about effective and safe volunteer activities. When providing support in disaster areas, we need to listen to local needs by connecting with people. After natural disasters and floods, supporting life reconstruction is very important, each of us should see what we can do to help within our capacity. And especially, after natural disasters, do not forget the easily forgotten, vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, integrated children...

International sponsors will launch many free psychological counseling programs for students.

The Ministry of Education and Training said that floods in the South Central and Central Highlands provinces have caused heavy damage to the education sector, estimated at nearly 100 billion VND in damage, affecting about 2,000 schools. International sponsors will implement free psychological counseling programs through group support sessions at schools for students affected by psychological trauma after natural disasters, especially in Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong; Teachers will be guided with flexible teaching methods to support students to overcome trauma...

5 solutions to strengthen protection for students and teachers against natural disasters

First , build a disaster database for education. The education disaster data and information system (e-DRRM) collects damage in real time, helping departments and the Ministry of Education and Training grasp the situation and give timely instructions.

Second , establish a separate disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) fund for schools. Independent funding allows for emergency repairs, equipment purchases, and immediate support for teachers and students in the event of an incident.

Third , develop a plan to maintain learning when the disaster lasts. Online learning, combined learning, relocation or schedule adjustment should be prepared in advance so that learning is not interrupted.

Fourth , standardize the "Safe School" model. School design and planning must be based on risk maps; prioritize relocating remote schools in landslide and deep flood areas.

Fifth , connect early warning systems with schools. Integrate meteorological, flood and landslide data into the education system, helping schools proactively close or evacuate at the right time.

Ho Sy Anh

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ho-tro-tam-ly-sau-thien-tai-khong-phai-chuyen-vien-vong-185251130203500899.htm