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Nepal Flood Survivors Face Shock, Distress
1 Sep
Summary
- 50 mental health professionals deployed to worst-hit districts.
- 64 counselors on standby amid ongoing needs for support.
- Survivors exhibit shock, nightmares, anxiety, and distress.
Following devastating floods in Nepal, a significant deployment of mental health professionals is underway to address the psychological impact on survivors. Approximately 50 psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychosocial counselors have been sent to the severely affected Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. These professionals are initiating Psychological First Aid (PFA), a crucial intervention in disaster recovery.
Authorities are also prepared for ongoing needs, with 64 trained counselors on standby in Bagmati Province. This proactive measure acknowledges the potentially long-term requirement for psychosocial support in the flood-affected communities. The government is expanding access through telephone helplines, including the 1115 hotline for general counseling and the 1166 service for dedicated psychosocial support.
On the ground, mental health professionals observe that many survivors are still in the initial stages of coping. They are displaying visible signs of shock and distress, with some children experiencing nightmares. Adults are showing heightened anxiety and fear. The immediate focus for responders includes ensuring safety, providing basic needs, and coordinating essential services like medication and shelter, with formal counseling to follow as the situation stabilizes.
