BOMB REVIVES MEMORIES OF PAST TRAGEDIES
Bomb revives memories of past tragedies
By Maureen Coleman
THE Omagh bomb has reopened old wounds for many victims of other atrocities in Northern Ireland.
According to Elizabeth Pearce, development officer of the Belfast branch of CRUSE, people bereaved in past tragedies have been contacting the organisation for support.
"At this moment in time we haven't yet received many calls from people directly bereaved as a result of the Omagh bomb," she said.
"But what we have had to deal with are calls from other people who have been bereaved in traumatic circumstances.
"For them, the Omagh bomb has re-opened old wounds which they might have thought had closed for good. What they are experiencing now are feelings of fear, anger and loneliness resurfacing after many years.
"We are very aware that an incident like this can spark something off in people and can cause frightening flashbacks.
"In a way it's like a jigsaw being thrown up in the air and all the pieces coming down in different places. Life for these people will never be the same again."
Urging those who were suffering in silence to open up, Elizabeth said the most important thing to do now was talk.
"Right now anyone who has been bereaved or who is grieving should find somebody to talk to about their pain,' she said.
"It is much better to find someone to unload that grief upon rather than keep it bottled up for years.
"It doesn't even have to be a trained counsellor. A friend or family member can provide a shoulder to cry on too.
In addition to emotional back-up, Elizabeth pointed out that people could help out in practical ways as well.
"If you know someone who has been bereaved, you can help out in other ways by doing little things like the household tasks, offering
transport or providing food," she said.
"Most of all it it is vital to remember that the support should be offered as long as it is needed.
"When the shock wears off and reality starts to set in, that's when the grief becomes unbearable.
"Three weeks or three months down the road people might start to find it difficult to cope and that's when we would urge people to continue to give their support."
A special information evening for prospective counsellors is being hosted in the Belfast branch on Tuesday August 25. Further details can be obtained on 01232 434600.
For numbers and details of the other branches contact the Regional Office on 01232 792419.
By Maureen Coleman
THE Omagh bomb has reopened old wounds for many victims of other atrocities in Northern Ireland.
According to Elizabeth Pearce, development officer of the Belfast branch of CRUSE, people bereaved in past tragedies have been contacting the organisation for support.
"At this moment in time we haven't yet received many calls from people directly bereaved as a result of the Omagh bomb," she said.
"But what we have had to deal with are calls from other people who have been bereaved in traumatic circumstances.
"For them, the Omagh bomb has re-opened old wounds which they might have thought had closed for good. What they are experiencing now are feelings of fear, anger and loneliness resurfacing after many years.
"We are very aware that an incident like this can spark something off in people and can cause frightening flashbacks.
"In a way it's like a jigsaw being thrown up in the air and all the pieces coming down in different places. Life for these people will never be the same again."
Urging those who were suffering in silence to open up, Elizabeth said the most important thing to do now was talk.
"Right now anyone who has been bereaved or who is grieving should find somebody to talk to about their pain,' she said.
"It is much better to find someone to unload that grief upon rather than keep it bottled up for years.
"It doesn't even have to be a trained counsellor. A friend or family member can provide a shoulder to cry on too.
In addition to emotional back-up, Elizabeth pointed out that people could help out in practical ways as well.
"If you know someone who has been bereaved, you can help out in other ways by doing little things like the household tasks, offering
transport or providing food," she said.
"Most of all it it is vital to remember that the support should be offered as long as it is needed.
"When the shock wears off and reality starts to set in, that's when the grief becomes unbearable.
"Three weeks or three months down the road people might start to find it difficult to cope and that's when we would urge people to continue to give their support."
A special information evening for prospective counsellors is being hosted in the Belfast branch on Tuesday August 25. Further details can be obtained on 01232 434600.
For numbers and details of the other branches contact the Regional Office on 01232 792419.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0190
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
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