Após um ataque terrorista é importante um olhar atento a quem
é vítima direta ou indireta do evento.
As diferentes investigações mostram que, para algumas
pessoas, as consequências de experienciar um evento terrorista têm um potencial
traumático de impacto grave e persistente.É sabido que as diferentes formas de perceber e interpretar risco irão influenciar as respostas emocionais e comportamentais das vítimas, sendo assim fundamental a comunicação ao público, tendo aqui os Media um papel fundamental.
A investigação mostra uma forte ligação entre o experienciar um evento terroristas e psicopatologia, sobretudo naqueles que ficaram feridos, vítimas diretas, quem testemunhou diretamente a morte de outros, ou quem perdeu, amigos ou membros da família e obviamente nos diferentes agentes de Proteção Civil. O impacto dos eventos terroristas consegue muitas vezes ter um efeito multiplicador do impacto psicológico causado, sobretudo pelo impacto e pelo inesperado.
Deixamos algumas recomendações e boas praticas para estas
situações :
“1. Never forget that the terrorist act is designed to create psychological instability. Death and destruction are merely a means to an end. Terrorism is psychological warfare.
2. DOD, DOS
and civilian communities need to establish joint intervention hotlines and
walk-in crisis facilities for those directly or indirectly affected by
terrorism. Psychological support and restoration of a sense of community is
essential.
3.
Pre-incident psychological resiliency training and ongoing support during and
after the terrorist attack is important for front line emergency personnel,
CIA, FBI, DOS and DOD. Families need to be included in all aspects of these
processes. The psychological state of mind of these personnel will have direct
effects upon their ability to perform their necessary jobs during this
stressful time and upon the physical and mental health of the targeted population.
4. Concerns about
future attacks can heighten anxiety; correct information is power. Collaborate
with mass media for the dissemination of accurate and ongoing information to
all involved. Credible information calms the sense of chaos and provides rumor
control. Age-appropriate reading and community activities help children cope
with the situation. Limit continuous monitoring of television and radio
coverage of the event, particularly around children who may have difficulty
seeing vivid pictures of the event.
5. Take steps
to re-establish a sense of physical safety for the public. Widely publicize
these efforts for children, the elderly and those who are sick.
6. Establish
a network of local political, educational, medical, economic, and religious
leaders to calm fears, provide crisis intervention and instill hope.
7.
Re-establish normal communication, transportation, school and work schedules as
soon as possible. The longer and greater the disruption, the greater the
public’s perceived risk and lack of safety.
8. Symbols
are a means of re-establishing community cohesion. Just as terrorists target
locations that symbolize a part of America they despise, a community can use
flags, bumper stickers, and billboards as a sign of unity.
9. Initiate
rituals to honor the dead, the survivors, and rescuers. Provide opportunities
for those not directly affected to help with donations of money, food,
clothing, blood, etc. Communicate that to carry on and succeed in life honors
the dead. Otherwise, the terrorists are victorious.
10. Do no
harm. Don’t interfere with people’s natural recovery mechanisms or interfere
with tactical assessment and rescue efforts.” (Everly & Mitchell, 2001; Mathewson, 2004)
- Crisis
Intervention: A Review- http://cism.cap.gov/files/articles/Crisis%20Intervention%20..%20A%20Review.pdf
- The survivor personality (Chapter 1). New York:
Berkley/Perigee Publishing. Retrieved December 1999, from http://www.thrivenet.com/resile/articles/ch01tsp.html
- Mathewson, The
Psychological Impact of Terrorist Attack;s 2004, 197.
