28th International Congress of Psychology August 8 ... - U-netSURF

programs in the form of “community centers” developed in the earthquake-affected areas. These
provide a wide range of services benefiting local communities. Psychosocial capacity building
includes support to the beneficiaries’ and disaster relief workers’ emotional, psychological, and
behavioral needs. A practical application of this approach was undertaken during the response to
the Bingol earthquake in May 2003 and in preparations for the Iraqi crisis.
1059.2 Community psychosocial response to traumatic experiences in Kenya, D. Ndetei 1 , R.
Kasina 2 , 1 Mental Health Africa, Kenya; 2 Amani Counselling Centre & Training Institute, Nairobi,
Kenya
Kenya has had various disasters: terrorism, natural disorders (floods, droughts, mudslides),
political violence, transport related disasters, domestic violence, rape, arson etc. Until the 1998
USA Embassy bombing in Nairobi, Kenya did not have organized disaster response programmes.
Since then the following have been put in place: (a) Rescue operation involving governmental and
non-governmental organizations (b) Psychosocial responses: Public lay education on Disaster;
Capacity Building; Multi-disciplinary professional approach.
1059.3 Development of psychological support program in Japan, J. Maeda, Muroran Institute
of Technology, Muroran, Japan
Japan Red Cross Society (JRCS) have been experiencing several domestic disasters needed
psychological support for affected people and medical relief members. After Hanshin-Awaji
earthquake, JRCS researched the mental state of the affected people systematically. Based this,
JRCS originally planned psychological support scheme. In the occasion of Mt.Usu Eruption,2000,
JRCS carried out this projects. JRCS presumed psychological support to be one of the main theme
of domestic relief activity, and began to train 120 people as leader of psychological support from
2003 cooperated with IRCS. At present, education to relief members and volunteers and practical
application is subjects
1059.4 Psychological support program in Iceland, S. Thormar, Leiden University, Rhoon, The
Netherlands
After avalanches in Iceland devastated two villages, killing 60, the Icelandic Red Cross developed
a new strategy. This involved giving communities back their supporting power so they could
develop and strengthen their own resources. The Red Cross established a network of Mental
Health Professionals throughout the country, which served as trainers of Psychological support as
well as Crisis Intervention Teams. These teams have now become part of the National Civil
Defense plan and work in co-operation with the Icelandic Health Care System. Working closely
with Red Cross branches.
1059.5 Development of disaster mental health in the USA, G.A. Jacobs, The University of
South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
A series of three major disasters in 1989 led the American Red Cross in 1991 to introduce Disaster
Mental Health Services as a part of its overall disaster relief program. The services are offered by
licensed mental health professionals and are limited in scope, consisting of clinical activities
(crisis intervention, debriefing, and defusing) and psychological support activities (education,
problem solving, advocacy, and referral). More than 90% of providers are volunteers. The
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