Colombo, April 27 (newsin.asia) – The Ohana Project has been created by a multidisciplinary group of professionals from diverse backgrounds such as; Medicine, Psychology, Counseling, Education, and Public Health in Sri Lanka.
Despite notable efforts to increase awareness and transparency surrounding mental health issues in Sri Lanka, the stigma associated with the need for obtaining help and support remains an obstacle within the community.
The Ohana Project was created with the core purpose of creating a platform for multidisciplinary professionals passionate about mental health to connect and harness their collective strength to address the wider problems of mental health inequalities in Sri Lanka.
Common reactions to a crisis event
-Shock and disbelief
-Disorientation
-Anger and irritation
-Apathy and numbing
-Sadness
-Crying for no apparent reason
-Headaches, backaches, stomach problems
-Sleep difficulties
-Changes in eating patterns
Tips on how to cope during a crisis event
1. Create balance on how you spend your time
-Be cautious not to spend too much time viewing news
-Spend time talking to your friends/families
2. Engage in deep breathing
3. Make sure you are well hydrated
4. Engage in relaxing activities
– Listen to music, spend some time with nature or play with your pet
5. Get enough rest
6. Reach out for help
How can you help someone affected by a terrorist attack
Stay calm and listen:
Provide them with a listening ear. If the person wants to talk about what happened to them, listen with empathy and concern without interrupting them.
Let them speak at their own pace and will:
If you feel the person wants to speak let them speak at their own pace. If you feel they are scared and needs someone to be there with them in silence, that is okay too. That will be just as comforting to them.
Do not push them to talk:
A survivor can feel a great deal of distress if they feel judged or obligated to share.
Emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to feel:
Terrorist attacks are senseless and meaningless acts of brutality and there is no single correct way to feel.
Please keep in mind that the content has been created for awareness purposes only, and as such, the information provided in such material cannot be relied upon as a substitute for counseling and/or mental health support as they are based on different guidelines related to mental health which continue to evolve.
The Ohana project is on standby with a team of trained mental health professionals to respond to the needs of those affected by the attacks. They have Psychological First Aid and Crisis Intervention capabilities along with Crisis Counselling.
The team is ready to deploy to any private or government hospital to offer support for those injured and for families who have been affected.
Contact hotline:
Nivendra: +94777346334
Nilushka – +94774979641
