Background: Disasters create a wide range of problems experienced at the individual, family, community and societal levels. The first step in any emergency response is to assess the extent and impact of the damage caused by the disaster and the capacity of the affected population to meet its immediate survival needs. Therefore, the study aimed to understand the mental health and psychosocial problems, services available, and needs of the population in the flood-affected districts of Karnataka state, India.

Methods and Materials: A rapid assessment was conducted through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with 675 respondents from various government departments, the local community leaders and the flood survivors.

Results: The study's findings revealed that in addition to the significant physical effects of the event, the survivors experienced psychological problems such as worries, anxiety, sadness, confusion, helplessness, hopelessness, anger, lack of interest, repeated thoughts of the events, crying, feelings of guilt, irritability, hypervigilance, a sense of frustration and despair, and increased use of tobacco and alcohol. The social impacts included poor social support, displacement of friends and relatives, loss of familiar atmosphere and social networks, isolated families, unaffordable rental houses, young female children and adolescents being sent to their relatives’ homes for safety, community cohesiveness, and severely affected poor families. The economic impacts included loss of livelihood, important documents, crops, money and gold, and unemployment.

Conclusion: The findings suggest a need to build capacity for those personnel involved in disaster management on psychological first aid.

Authors:
Sanjeev Kumar Manikappa, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Manikappa is currently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

Bookmark