Earthquake in El Salvador
Overview of the Operational Mental Health Care Plan*
Earthquakes can leave lasting psychological wounds among the affected
population. The aftermath can be particularly stressful when survivors cannot
find their missing relatives or carry out the cultural or religious rituals
that provide a sense of closure after the loss of a loved one. In the case of
the earthquake that has hit El Salvador, the number of victims, the many homes
buried under landslides and the uncertainty about the fate of the missing are
clear indicators of an imminent post-traumatic stress syndrome epidemic among
the surviving population.
One of the top priorities in caring for the affected citizenry must
be to respond to their mental health needs. The Ministry of Health of El Salvador,
in collaboration with other national and international bodies, has developed
the following action plan to respond to these needs.
The Problem
Managing, in the short, medium, and long term, the disaster's impact
on the psychosocial stability of previously emotionally healthy individuals
and groups.
Overall Objective
Minimize the psychosocial damage to the direct or indirect victims
of the disaster by promoting and providing mental health care.
Strategy and Methods
The Emergency Mental Health Team will provide technical assistance
and coordinate operations effective immediately and into the medium term.
The actions to be taken are the following:
- Carry out preventive interventions aimed at the general population and particularly
the victims by employing
a. The mass media, through the production of print and audiovisual materials,
and
b. Non-governmental organizations, government agencies, grassroots groups
and other bodies that serve local communities, through the production and
distribution of leaflets, brochures, and posters that can be easily redistributed
or reproduced.
- Deploy multidisciplinary teams, trained to provide mental health care to
people in crisis, throughout existing shelters, schools, and health facilities,
and make sure they have the necessary psycho-pharmaceutical products, equipment,
and transport.
- Develop mental health interventions targeted at vulnerable groups, such
as children, the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women, rescue personnel,
and health personnel in the most affected areas, and make sure that follow-up
care is provided.
The long-term continuity of the Operational Plan will be entrusted
to the Mental Health Teams of the Basic Comprehensive Health Systems (SIBASIs)
in San Salvador, La Libertad, Santa Ana and San Miguel.
Human Resources
- MDs
- Nurses
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists (fully trained or students)
- Health Educators
- Social Workers
- Volunteers
* Prepared by an Interdisciplinary Mental Health Team
