Citation

Sumathipala A, Siribaddana S, Perera C. Int. Rev. Psychiatry 2006; 18(3): 249-257.

Affiliation

Section of Epidemiology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. spjuats@iop.kcl.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540260600656100

PMID

16753662

Abstract

Even if predicted, disasters may not be completely averted due to reasons beyond human control. There is always likely to be a degree of loss, human as well as material. Therefore, the correct strategy is to limit the damage and minimize the harm. Such damage control exercises should be mindful about the psychological costs of the disaster. Identification of dead bodies and the missing, as well as providing a dignified burial, is a crucial part of the overall management of a disaster. It will alleviate the long-term psychological as well as legal consequences. Hence, a comprehensive forensic service including modern genetic capabilities is a must for disaster response. Development of a comprehensive and efficient psychosocial intervention at community level after a disaster should recognise the importance of dead body management as an integral part of it. The guiding principles of psychosocial interventions are: to be multi-sectoral and multi-level; to include immediate, mid-term and long-term interventions; to be socially and culturally sensitive; to recognize the functionality of existing social and healthcare systems; to adopt a public mental health approach; and to be informed by evidence-based planning and implementation proven to be locally effective.

Language: en