TRAUMA CENTRE PREPARING FOR FRESH CALLS FOR HELP
Trauma Centre preparing for fresh calls for help
By: JOHN McCUSKER
TRAUMA experts have urged anyone who feels they may require help to get them over the first anniversary of the Omagh atrocity, to get in touch with any of the agencies currently dealing with victims.
Many of those caught up in last August's tragedy are only now coining forward for counselling.
And according to coordinator of the trauma team, Michael Duffy, others may feel they require help to get them over what could be a difficult period for those concerned.
To date, 474 victims -whose ages range from 2-76 years - have been referred for counselling. Of that number, over 140 are under the age of 18.
A total of 238 people are still receiving treatment for a wide range of conditions including post traumatic stress disorder, depression, panic attacks and grief reactions. And many find it very difficult to go back into Omagh town centre since the bombing.
But those involved in the psychological treatment of victims have praised the work carried out by a number of voluntary agencies, as well as creative schemes undertaken within various schools in the district.
Mr Duffy urged anyone who feels they may require help throughout the coming weeks to get in touch with the Trauma Centre. "Please come forward and talk to us" he added.
Meanwhile, organisers of plans to mark the first anniversary of the bombing have outlined arrangements for the town next weekend.
On Friday next (13th Aug), the town centre will be closed to through traffic from the close of business until Monday morning.
Next Saturday, 14 August, shops will close for one hour from 2.30 until 3.30pm.
An informal short ceremony will be held at Lower Market Street at 3.10pm the time the bomb exploded one year ago.
Omagh Methodist Church will be open on Saturday from 12 noon until 4pm for personal and private prayer.
A special anniversary Mass will also be celebrated that evening in the Sacred Heart Church beginning at 6pm.
The following day, Sunday 15th, all churches in the area are invited to use anniversary prayer and readings in their morning worship.
Morning Service from St Columba's Church of Ireland will be broadcast on RTE Radio One (567MW) at 10.45am.
In the afternoon, the main ceremony of remembrance will take place in High Street, beginning at 2:55pm Those wishing to attend have been asked to be in place for 2.30. A ceremony will be held simultaneously in the Market Square in Buncrana in memory of the young victims from the Co Donegal town who died in the explosion.
Other events have also been planned to mark the occasion.
For two weeks, commencing 9th August, Omagh Library will be displaying a number of items including condolence books received by the Omagh community and a collection of patchwork quilts presented to the town by the Northern Ireland Patchworkers Guild. These items were made using patches sent from all over the world.
The 'Petals of Hope, Rays of Light' floral art exhibition, made from the thousands of bouquets left in the town following the explosion, will also be on display again, as will a selection of messages of sympathy and pieces of art sent to the people of Omagh.
Members of the local community and visitors to Omagh will be able to view these displays during the Library's normal opening hours, which include two late night openings on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 8pm.
The Cyber Cafe at Sedan Avenue will be opened for young people to visit on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th.
And the Bridge Centre, base for the Community Trauma and Recovery Team and other voluntary organisations, will be open on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August from 9am until 5pm.
By: JOHN McCUSKER
TRAUMA experts have urged anyone who feels they may require help to get them over the first anniversary of the Omagh atrocity, to get in touch with any of the agencies currently dealing with victims.
Many of those caught up in last August's tragedy are only now coining forward for counselling.
And according to coordinator of the trauma team, Michael Duffy, others may feel they require help to get them over what could be a difficult period for those concerned.
To date, 474 victims -whose ages range from 2-76 years - have been referred for counselling. Of that number, over 140 are under the age of 18.
A total of 238 people are still receiving treatment for a wide range of conditions including post traumatic stress disorder, depression, panic attacks and grief reactions. And many find it very difficult to go back into Omagh town centre since the bombing.
But those involved in the psychological treatment of victims have praised the work carried out by a number of voluntary agencies, as well as creative schemes undertaken within various schools in the district.
Mr Duffy urged anyone who feels they may require help throughout the coming weeks to get in touch with the Trauma Centre. "Please come forward and talk to us" he added.
Meanwhile, organisers of plans to mark the first anniversary of the bombing have outlined arrangements for the town next weekend.
On Friday next (13th Aug), the town centre will be closed to through traffic from the close of business until Monday morning.
Next Saturday, 14 August, shops will close for one hour from 2.30 until 3.30pm.
An informal short ceremony will be held at Lower Market Street at 3.10pm the time the bomb exploded one year ago.
Omagh Methodist Church will be open on Saturday from 12 noon until 4pm for personal and private prayer.
A special anniversary Mass will also be celebrated that evening in the Sacred Heart Church beginning at 6pm.
The following day, Sunday 15th, all churches in the area are invited to use anniversary prayer and readings in their morning worship.
Morning Service from St Columba's Church of Ireland will be broadcast on RTE Radio One (567MW) at 10.45am.
In the afternoon, the main ceremony of remembrance will take place in High Street, beginning at 2:55pm Those wishing to attend have been asked to be in place for 2.30. A ceremony will be held simultaneously in the Market Square in Buncrana in memory of the young victims from the Co Donegal town who died in the explosion.
Other events have also been planned to mark the occasion.
For two weeks, commencing 9th August, Omagh Library will be displaying a number of items including condolence books received by the Omagh community and a collection of patchwork quilts presented to the town by the Northern Ireland Patchworkers Guild. These items were made using patches sent from all over the world.
The 'Petals of Hope, Rays of Light' floral art exhibition, made from the thousands of bouquets left in the town following the explosion, will also be on display again, as will a selection of messages of sympathy and pieces of art sent to the people of Omagh.
Members of the local community and visitors to Omagh will be able to view these displays during the Library's normal opening hours, which include two late night openings on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 8pm.
The Cyber Cafe at Sedan Avenue will be opened for young people to visit on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th.
And the Bridge Centre, base for the Community Trauma and Recovery Team and other voluntary organisations, will be open on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August from 9am until 5pm.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1294
Published Date: 05-Aug-99
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