Psychosocial interventions in times of disaster matured in India

Bangalore, Nov 26 (UNI) The overwhelming support from Governmental and Non governmental organisations seen in the recent tragedies like Orissa cyclone, Gujarat riots and Indian Ocean tsunami indicated that psychosocial interventions had matured in India, Prof Parasuraman, an expert in the field, said today.

Speaking at the two-day conference on 'Psychosocial care and mental health services in disasters', organised by National Institute of Mental and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) here, he said psychosocial care in times of disasters, whether man made or natural, had evinced broader interest among the people and organisations and resulted them in volunteering in disaster mitigation.

This was a good development as it would be difficult for the government to intervene in this specialised area, though it was prompt enough in coming to the help of disaster affected in a broader sense.

"During the last few years the knowledge on psychosocial intervention, capacity building and ability to intervene has been well dispersed. This has led to the knowledge and the capacity to intervene during disasters from Kashmir to Kanyakumari," he said. There had been a greater understanding in times of disasters in the recent times with local community, volunteers and professionals had come forward willing to help the victims. This would help in providing long term care and support.

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