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The
tsunami operation in Sri Lanka
Psychosocial programmes
September 2006 |
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Play
activities and creative expression are among the approaches
that teachers can employ to help the children overcome emotional
trauma. The American Red Cross provides teacher training to
help children recover from emotional trauma. In the days and
weeks following the tsunami, American Red Cross psychosocial
support staff visited dozens of schools in southern Sri Lanka
to help children overcome their emotional trauma. Events such
as the tsunami are often harder on children because they struggle
to express their feelings or don’t know who to turn
to for help. Because of the sheer number of children needing
assistance, Red Cross staff began training teachers in psychological
first aid. Psychological first aid teaches how to identify
common stress reactions; how to help people open up without
pressuring them; how to listen, comfort and help people deal
with their emotions.
(p14427)
Photo: International
Federation
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