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The role of the community in providing psychological and social support after catastrophic events

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

L. Mužinić Marinić*
Affiliation:
Clinic for Psychiatry, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
I. Marinić
Affiliation:
Clinic for Psychiatry, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Natural disasters are a risk for significantly disrupting the quality of life as a result of changes in life circumstances they bring, such as endangering health, property, existential issues, and can lead to social exclusion. They can also affect mental health and increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders.

Objectives

To show the impact of natural disasters on the psychosocial functioning of people in the affected area and the importance of adequate preparedness of the social community, including mobile teams, with an emphasis on providing somatic, psychological, and social support.

Methods

Data were collected from research on the consequences of major natural disasters and providing psychological, psychiatric and social support to the affected population.

Results

After natural disasters, there are significant changes in social functioning with the possible development of mental health problems. It is especially evident in sudden and intense catastrophic events.

Conclusions

In addition to the immediate provision of psychiatric and psychological assistance to victims, people who have experienced a catastrophic event need to be provided with immediate and continuous assistance and socioeconomic support, due to the need for better social inclusion and return to their role in the community.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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