COUNSELLORS WAIT FOR RUSH WHEN DISTRESS TAKES OVER
Counsellors wait for rush when distress takes over
By LINDSAY FERGUS
IT will be months before the full emotional devastation of the Omagh bomb will become known, a bereavement counsellor warned yesterday.
Eileen Charlton, chairman of Cruse in Omagh/Fermanagh said: "At the moment people are cocooned with family and friends and it is not until that support eases will people begin to contact us. At this stage people do not want counselling, it is a bit too soon."
In the last week only a small number of people had contacted the Omagh branch, where all counsellors have been put on alert in the event of a sudden influx of distress calls. The Londonderry branch is also on standby.
One lady, who cannot be named because of Cruse's confidential nature, contacted the organisation in tears yesterday seeking help.
"She was devastated. She thought her children had been caught up in the incident and was lifting covers of the dead looking for them. It has left her traumatised," said Mrs Charlton who works voluntarily for the organisation.
A Cruse counsellor who was also caught up in the blast has been temporarily relieved of her duties as a result of emotional anguish.
The woman, who had been in Nicholls and Shiels coffee shop with her son when the 500lb I car bomb went off, escaped with minor injuries. However, the scenes she witnessed have taken their toll.
"When she walked out of the shop she saw some of the bodies. Her and the wee boy are quite traumatised," she said. "She is in no state to come back to work and have to take distress calls."
At present Cruse is liaising with social services and community groups to offer the best service to people - "we are here if anybody wants us," said Mrs Charlton.
Cruse, a long term bereavement service, offers one to one counselling by specially trained advisers, who support each client for as long as they need.
In the last nine days the offices of the Province-wide organisation have been flooded with calls from the public offering their help, some have offered counselling services, others have volunteered to make tea.
However, generally Cruse has had to decline the kind gestures because it uses only counsellors who have participated in a specifically tailored Cruse course.
In Omagh up to 20 people telephoned offering assistance. "It is awfully hard to say you do not need them because they mean so well. People who were not affected by the bomb feel guilty and need to do something," explained Mrs Charlton.
In the next few weeks, when people are left alone with their thoughts and fears, the Cruse chairman believes more people will contact the organisation for help.
"They can come to us, that is what we are here for and sometimes it is easier to talk to a stranger than your own family," she said.
Cruse can be contacted at 01662-244414.
Wave bereavement counselling can also be reached at 01232-779922.
The Samaritans have also reported an increase in distress calls since the Omagh bombing. Their Linkline number is 0345-909090 (local call rates).
By LINDSAY FERGUS
IT will be months before the full emotional devastation of the Omagh bomb will become known, a bereavement counsellor warned yesterday.
Eileen Charlton, chairman of Cruse in Omagh/Fermanagh said: "At the moment people are cocooned with family and friends and it is not until that support eases will people begin to contact us. At this stage people do not want counselling, it is a bit too soon."
In the last week only a small number of people had contacted the Omagh branch, where all counsellors have been put on alert in the event of a sudden influx of distress calls. The Londonderry branch is also on standby.
One lady, who cannot be named because of Cruse's confidential nature, contacted the organisation in tears yesterday seeking help.
"She was devastated. She thought her children had been caught up in the incident and was lifting covers of the dead looking for them. It has left her traumatised," said Mrs Charlton who works voluntarily for the organisation.
A Cruse counsellor who was also caught up in the blast has been temporarily relieved of her duties as a result of emotional anguish.
The woman, who had been in Nicholls and Shiels coffee shop with her son when the 500lb I car bomb went off, escaped with minor injuries. However, the scenes she witnessed have taken their toll.
"When she walked out of the shop she saw some of the bodies. Her and the wee boy are quite traumatised," she said. "She is in no state to come back to work and have to take distress calls."
At present Cruse is liaising with social services and community groups to offer the best service to people - "we are here if anybody wants us," said Mrs Charlton.
Cruse, a long term bereavement service, offers one to one counselling by specially trained advisers, who support each client for as long as they need.
In the last nine days the offices of the Province-wide organisation have been flooded with calls from the public offering their help, some have offered counselling services, others have volunteered to make tea.
However, generally Cruse has had to decline the kind gestures because it uses only counsellors who have participated in a specifically tailored Cruse course.
In Omagh up to 20 people telephoned offering assistance. "It is awfully hard to say you do not need them because they mean so well. People who were not affected by the bomb feel guilty and need to do something," explained Mrs Charlton.
In the next few weeks, when people are left alone with their thoughts and fears, the Cruse chairman believes more people will contact the organisation for help.
"They can come to us, that is what we are here for and sometimes it is easier to talk to a stranger than your own family," she said.
Cruse can be contacted at 01662-244414.
Wave bereavement counselling can also be reached at 01232-779922.
The Samaritans have also reported an increase in distress calls since the Omagh bombing. Their Linkline number is 0345-909090 (local call rates).
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/106
Published Date: 25-Aug-98
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