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Abstract
Disaster is serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing wide spread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceeds the ability of the affected community to cope using its own resources. Each disaster be it a flood, earthquake, cyclone, human caused disaster and tsunami has intrinsic unique communities. Some studies show that the impact of disasters can range from common stress reactions to severe problematic stress reactions and psychological disorders (National center for PTSD; Palinkas, Downs, Petterson & Russell (1993)) these are Emotional problems, Behavioral problems, Somatic problems, death anxiety, Potential loss of their near and dear ones and Physical injuries. Survivors of disasters often need the services of mental health professionals to ameliorate these effects. Research studies shows that psychological interventions under taken at individual and group level requires the use of various counseling techniques as well as therapeutic measures (Robert, 1990; Ehrenreich, 2001). The present paper attempts to highlight the various stages at which the coping strategies and interventions can be provided by psychologists for the management of various natural and manmade disasters.
Keywords: Disaster, Psychology, Mental Health, Counseling
INTRODUCTION
A disaster will be defined as a serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing widespread human, material or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using only its own resources (WHO, 1972). The typical result is significant disruption of normal living patterns, economic activity and communication systems. Extraordinary needs for shelter, food, clothing, medical assistance and other essential care services may follow.
Mass casualty incident
A mass casualty incident is any incident where the resulting number of casualties exceeds the resources of the emergency services to manage them and hence the actual number of persons affected will vary from situation to situation. A mass casualty incident may also qualify as a disaster and produce a scene of carnage so devastating that no description can adequately convey what it was like to have witnessed it. Most persons exposed to such a mass casualty incident experience some psychological dysfunction and a high percentage of such persons need help in coping.
Characteristics of disasters
1. Type of event
2. Familiarity of population with the hazard
3. Predictability of event
4. Avoidability...