TRAUMA CENTRE ON HAND TO DEAL WITH NEW CASES
Trauma Centre on hand to deal with new cases
By JOHN McCUSKER
"PLEASE come forward and talk to us" was the message extended to those who may experience difficulty coping with the tragic events one year on from the Market Street bombing.
The offer of help came this week from the coordinator of the Trauma Centre, Michael Duffy, who revealed that some people were only now beginning to suffer psychological effects from last August's bombing.
Staff at the Trauma Centre will be on hand throughout this weekend to deal with cases. But, as Mr Duffy pointed out, for those affected, this is only the first anniversary of many.
On a positive note, he revealed that around half of the 474 referrals to the Trauma Centre during the year, had now been successfully dealt with.
However, he added, some victims were obviously more traumatised than others, and therefore must be allowed space to recover at their own pace.
Even yet, people were still coming to the centre for the first time almost a year after the incident.
Many found it difficult to return to Omagh town centre, and Mr Duffy appealed for understanding towards their suffering.
"Please be tolerant. If someone was traumatised a year ago and has still not worked that through, they still need the tolerance and understanding from their families and the community to help them through."
Mr Duffy stressed that the Trauma Centre operated an "open door" policy, whereby anyone who felt they required help only had to make contact.
"It is important that if people feel they have been affected that they should seek help," he added.
He also paid tribute to organisations such as Wave, Victim Support, the Samaritans, the Tara Centre and Omagh Self Help Group, who, he added, had done "sterling work" within the community.
He also praised work carried out in local schools, pointing out in particular the Cyber Centre initiative instigated by Omagh College, which, to date, had been visited by over 250 young people.
And he thanked those behind offers of help which had poured in since the bombing.
"We have dealt with so many offers of holidays. It helps people to know that there are others who are still concerned and care about them," he added.
Director of Social Work with Sperrin Lakeland Trust, David Bolton also commended the work carried out by local schools and churches, as well as families and friends of those affected.
'POISONING EFFECT
The bombing, he felt, had inflicted a "poisoning effect" on the community, with many people suffering major loss and, in some cases, multiple bereavement.
A considerably experienced team of professionals expanded as necessary had been involved in the treatment of victims, but there was no "magic" solution to the problems encountered, he said.
People were only now seeking help for the first time. "Also people are coming to us who were affected by previous incidents," he said.
Mr Bolton expected the trauma team to be dealing with victims at least until after the second anniversary of the tragedy.
Dr Maura McDermott, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist expected the first anniversary to be a difficult time for many to cope with.
Experience had shown that children had actually been affected more than adults and were much more likely to suffer psychologically from the event.
Trauma teams, she added, were working in conjunction with schools in the area in a bid to identify and overcome any difficulties perceived.
"I believe that there are children out there who are having difficulties and who are not accessing help, and I think if we can get to those children, then obviously I think we can help them," she added.
Appealing to anyone who may be experiencing problems coping one year on, Mr Duffy said staff would be on hand throughout the anniversary weekend to deal with cases as they arose.
"If you are having difficulties, don't feel that simply because this happened a year ago, that those difficulties are any less important now.
"If you feel that the Omagh bomb has impacted upon you and that your life has been affected, please come forward and talk to us" he added.
The Trauma Centre and other agencies dealing with victims of the bombing will remain open throughout this Saturday 14 and Sunday 15, from 9am to 5pm. Tel: 252599.
By JOHN McCUSKER
"PLEASE come forward and talk to us" was the message extended to those who may experience difficulty coping with the tragic events one year on from the Market Street bombing.
The offer of help came this week from the coordinator of the Trauma Centre, Michael Duffy, who revealed that some people were only now beginning to suffer psychological effects from last August's bombing.
Staff at the Trauma Centre will be on hand throughout this weekend to deal with cases. But, as Mr Duffy pointed out, for those affected, this is only the first anniversary of many.
On a positive note, he revealed that around half of the 474 referrals to the Trauma Centre during the year, had now been successfully dealt with.
However, he added, some victims were obviously more traumatised than others, and therefore must be allowed space to recover at their own pace.
Even yet, people were still coming to the centre for the first time almost a year after the incident.
Many found it difficult to return to Omagh town centre, and Mr Duffy appealed for understanding towards their suffering.
"Please be tolerant. If someone was traumatised a year ago and has still not worked that through, they still need the tolerance and understanding from their families and the community to help them through."
Mr Duffy stressed that the Trauma Centre operated an "open door" policy, whereby anyone who felt they required help only had to make contact.
"It is important that if people feel they have been affected that they should seek help," he added.
He also paid tribute to organisations such as Wave, Victim Support, the Samaritans, the Tara Centre and Omagh Self Help Group, who, he added, had done "sterling work" within the community.
He also praised work carried out in local schools, pointing out in particular the Cyber Centre initiative instigated by Omagh College, which, to date, had been visited by over 250 young people.
And he thanked those behind offers of help which had poured in since the bombing.
"We have dealt with so many offers of holidays. It helps people to know that there are others who are still concerned and care about them," he added.
Director of Social Work with Sperrin Lakeland Trust, David Bolton also commended the work carried out by local schools and churches, as well as families and friends of those affected.
'POISONING EFFECT
The bombing, he felt, had inflicted a "poisoning effect" on the community, with many people suffering major loss and, in some cases, multiple bereavement.
A considerably experienced team of professionals expanded as necessary had been involved in the treatment of victims, but there was no "magic" solution to the problems encountered, he said.
People were only now seeking help for the first time. "Also people are coming to us who were affected by previous incidents," he said.
Mr Bolton expected the trauma team to be dealing with victims at least until after the second anniversary of the tragedy.
Dr Maura McDermott, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist expected the first anniversary to be a difficult time for many to cope with.
Experience had shown that children had actually been affected more than adults and were much more likely to suffer psychologically from the event.
Trauma teams, she added, were working in conjunction with schools in the area in a bid to identify and overcome any difficulties perceived.
"I believe that there are children out there who are having difficulties and who are not accessing help, and I think if we can get to those children, then obviously I think we can help them," she added.
Appealing to anyone who may be experiencing problems coping one year on, Mr Duffy said staff would be on hand throughout the anniversary weekend to deal with cases as they arose.
"If you are having difficulties, don't feel that simply because this happened a year ago, that those difficulties are any less important now.
"If you feel that the Omagh bomb has impacted upon you and that your life has been affected, please come forward and talk to us" he added.
The Trauma Centre and other agencies dealing with victims of the bombing will remain open throughout this Saturday 14 and Sunday 15, from 9am to 5pm. Tel: 252599.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0460
Published Date: 12-Aug-99
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