OMAGH CARERS JET IN TO HELP US VICTIMS
OMAGH CARERS JET IN TO HELP U.S. VICTIMS
By MAURICE FITZMAURICE
Experts will work with twin towers survivors
A TRAUMA team that helped survivors of the Omagh bomb is to work with relatives of the twin towers victims in New York.
They will train counsellors to help people affected by the US attacks.
Dr Michael Duffy, head of the Omagh Trauma Centre, said: "We have been asked to go out to the States to provide training. A Professor of Psychology at New Jersey University contacted us and we have offered him whatever assistance we can."
The trauma centre was set up after August 15, 1998 when 29 people and unborn twins were killed by a Real IRA bomb.
Dr Duffy, a psychotherapist, said experts were still dealing with the emotional and psychological impact of that day.
He added that the terrorist attack on New York had sent Shockwaves through Omagh.
"Delayed onset of post-traumatic stress disorder can be set off by a subsequent dramatic event.
"We have had people referred for the first time who were holding themselves together but for them the New York incident was the final straw."
Dr Duffy has emailed some material to New York about his experience of the days and weeks after the Omagh bomb.
He said: "We have conveyed an important principle that you shouldn't rush in with psychological treatments.
"For the first four to six weeks you must provide practical support, a sympathetic ear and mobilise normal support systems within the community.
"Afterwards, the key part of the treatment is talking people through their story, vividly reliving it in sessions which are very painful but necessary to help them through it."
Dr Duffy said medical services were stretched after the Omagh bomb.
He added: "Given the scale of what happened in New York there is a danger that the services could be overwhelmed unless they use the time now to train up their staff and set up accessible, walk-in facilities."
By MAURICE FITZMAURICE
Experts will work with twin towers survivors
A TRAUMA team that helped survivors of the Omagh bomb is to work with relatives of the twin towers victims in New York.
They will train counsellors to help people affected by the US attacks.
Dr Michael Duffy, head of the Omagh Trauma Centre, said: "We have been asked to go out to the States to provide training. A Professor of Psychology at New Jersey University contacted us and we have offered him whatever assistance we can."
The trauma centre was set up after August 15, 1998 when 29 people and unborn twins were killed by a Real IRA bomb.
Dr Duffy, a psychotherapist, said experts were still dealing with the emotional and psychological impact of that day.
He added that the terrorist attack on New York had sent Shockwaves through Omagh.
"Delayed onset of post-traumatic stress disorder can be set off by a subsequent dramatic event.
"We have had people referred for the first time who were holding themselves together but for them the New York incident was the final straw."
Dr Duffy has emailed some material to New York about his experience of the days and weeks after the Omagh bomb.
He said: "We have conveyed an important principle that you shouldn't rush in with psychological treatments.
"For the first four to six weeks you must provide practical support, a sympathetic ear and mobilise normal support systems within the community.
"Afterwards, the key part of the treatment is talking people through their story, vividly reliving it in sessions which are very painful but necessary to help them through it."
Dr Duffy said medical services were stretched after the Omagh bomb.
He added: "Given the scale of what happened in New York there is a danger that the services could be overwhelmed unless they use the time now to train up their staff and set up accessible, walk-in facilities."
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/138
Published Date: 12-Oct-01
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