TraumaCare

Jaslok Hospital Sets Up a Trauma Counselling Cell

Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre has set up a Trauma Counselling Cell (TCC) to provide psychological services to terror struck victims and their families so they can deal with the trauma in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks.

Shock trauma is being experienced by most Mumbaikars. The consequent different kinds of emotions such as anxiety, depression, anger, guilt and other grief reactions need to be addressed immediately.

Dr Maya Kirpalani, Consultant Psychologist and Family Therapist, has set up the TCC to provide trauma counselling to traumatised victims of terror. Said Dr Kirpalani, "In this centre we will focus on providing trauma counselling, psychiatric treatment, social support, group counselling and psycho spiritual interventions to heal the trauma, teach resiliency techniques and hold peace workshops."

Jaslok Hospital has also invited internationally recognised experts, Dr Rony Berger and Dr Marc Gelkopf from Israel, specialists in dealing with psychological preparation for and aftermath of terrorism and other major disasters, for conducting training workshops for mental health professionals as well as to the school teachers.

Said Dr Rony Berger, International Expert in Clinical Psychology, "There is a large body of research and clinical observations which show that children and adolescents exposed to such conditions are at a high risk of suffering from development impairments, distress-related psychiatric symptomatology, behavioural disturbances and even health problems. With proper counselling these conditions can be addressed."

EH News Bureau