TRAUMA STUDY FINDS COMMUNITY STRENGTH A FACTOR IN THE PROCESS
Trauma study finds Community strength a factor in the healing process
By: JOHN McCUSKER
Over 3,000 people took part in survey
PRELIMINARY results from a pioneering survey, drawn up in the wake of the Omagh bombing, show the strength of the local community has been a crucial factor in its recovery from the effects of the atrocity.
Over 3,000 people participated in the study which was instigated in an effort to determine the repercussion last year's bombing had on the people of the area.
The findings which have just recently been released are compiled from early results and those behind the study hope additional analysis will enable them to further address the consequences of the attack.
The aim of the survey was to improve understanding of people's reactions to the bombing, while at the same time help the Trust respond to the needs of the community.
Those who returned questionnaires aged in range from 16-92 years. Almost 63 per cent of those who replied were female, while over a quarter of the people who responded had experienced a previous traumatic event associated with the Troubles.
The vast majority (93.8%) of those who filled in the questionnaire said they felt as much, or even more so, a part of the community since August of last year.
And almost as many felt positive changes to the local community would be helpful in the recovery process following the explosion.
When the figures were broken down, it was discovered that 463 people who had lost someone close to them, had responded to the survey. A further 840 who had someone close to them injured, also participated in the confidential study.
118 people who had been in Market Street when the bomb exploded and 329 who had been in the area shortly after the bombing also participated, while 522 people who were in the street before the bombing also revealed details of the effect the incident had on their lives.
Of those who were caught up in the bombing or who rushed to the scene in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, 562 people who were directly exposed to distressing scenes and experiences, responded to a series of questions designed to gauge the impact the incident had on their lives.
The figures also revealed that 34 people who lost property or were put out of work as a result of the bombing also took part in the survey.
According to those who have analysed the results, the study also revealed a number of important aspects concerning the Omagh community following the bomb attack.
Rather than dividing the community, figures show the incident has actually brought people together. And the findings reveal that most people wanted to see positive things happening in the community. For them, this would be the most helpful pointer in adjusting to the consequences and impact of the bombing.
David Bolton, Sperrin Lakeland Trust's Director of Community Care said it brought encouragement to individuals and groups who have been concerned about the Omagh community and who have been attempting to support local people.
"If the desire to see positive community and personal changes is encouraged, then this community will find very positive and constructive ways of overcoming the tragedy of the Omagh bombing" he added.
The survey also shows that, even a year after the incident, a large number of people still suffer significant psychological problems including nightmares, flashbacks and feelings of panic.
Dr Kate Gillespie - who has dealt with many of those experiencing traumatic effects - said people who suffered acute short-term distress reactions in the weeks that followed the bombing, had since recovered.
"However, we know from our work and the study that a large number of people continue to suffer significant psychological problems.
"It is important that people seek help for themselves or for friends and family members about whom they are concerned, sooner rather than later."
Media coverage of the incident and its aftermath was also put under the spotlight.
Most felt it helped explain the impact of the bombing and also encouraged people to come to terms with what had happened. It also proved a valuable source by informing people where to get help.
Michael Duffy, Coordinator of the Community Trauma and Recovery Team felt that now that the first anniversary had passed, it would be helpful if people were allowed to address personal, family and community needs away from the glare of media attention.
"The media have been helpful in enabling this community to express its distress and its hopes. Likewise, people who regard Omagh and Tyrone as home, but who live far away, have been able to share in the unfolding story of Omagh through television, radio and the papers.
"It is also encouraging that, in this study, many people highlighted the role of the media in keeping them informed of where to get help and I think credit must go to the local papers in particular" he added.
Professor David Clark of Oxford University, who helped compile the survey, said its findings helped discover what leads to people suffering distress or trauma by events such as the Omagh bombing.
This particular study was also particularly helpful, given the large number of people who had participated, he said.
Commenting on the overall findings of the survey, the Chief Executive of Sperrin Lakeland Trust, Hugh Mills said the results would now enable trauma experts target their resources more effectively.
"We are most grateful to everyone who felt able to participate in this study. Their contribution has resulted in a very important set of findings, which will be of immediate benefit to the work being undertaken by the Community Trauma and Recovery Team and by other departments within the Trust.
"The findings will also help us to best plan services in the days ahead with greater confidence, and will help us to target our efforts most effectively."
By: JOHN McCUSKER
Over 3,000 people took part in survey
PRELIMINARY results from a pioneering survey, drawn up in the wake of the Omagh bombing, show the strength of the local community has been a crucial factor in its recovery from the effects of the atrocity.
Over 3,000 people participated in the study which was instigated in an effort to determine the repercussion last year's bombing had on the people of the area.
The findings which have just recently been released are compiled from early results and those behind the study hope additional analysis will enable them to further address the consequences of the attack.
The aim of the survey was to improve understanding of people's reactions to the bombing, while at the same time help the Trust respond to the needs of the community.
Those who returned questionnaires aged in range from 16-92 years. Almost 63 per cent of those who replied were female, while over a quarter of the people who responded had experienced a previous traumatic event associated with the Troubles.
The vast majority (93.8%) of those who filled in the questionnaire said they felt as much, or even more so, a part of the community since August of last year.
And almost as many felt positive changes to the local community would be helpful in the recovery process following the explosion.
When the figures were broken down, it was discovered that 463 people who had lost someone close to them, had responded to the survey. A further 840 who had someone close to them injured, also participated in the confidential study.
118 people who had been in Market Street when the bomb exploded and 329 who had been in the area shortly after the bombing also participated, while 522 people who were in the street before the bombing also revealed details of the effect the incident had on their lives.
Of those who were caught up in the bombing or who rushed to the scene in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, 562 people who were directly exposed to distressing scenes and experiences, responded to a series of questions designed to gauge the impact the incident had on their lives.
The figures also revealed that 34 people who lost property or were put out of work as a result of the bombing also took part in the survey.
According to those who have analysed the results, the study also revealed a number of important aspects concerning the Omagh community following the bomb attack.
Rather than dividing the community, figures show the incident has actually brought people together. And the findings reveal that most people wanted to see positive things happening in the community. For them, this would be the most helpful pointer in adjusting to the consequences and impact of the bombing.
David Bolton, Sperrin Lakeland Trust's Director of Community Care said it brought encouragement to individuals and groups who have been concerned about the Omagh community and who have been attempting to support local people.
"If the desire to see positive community and personal changes is encouraged, then this community will find very positive and constructive ways of overcoming the tragedy of the Omagh bombing" he added.
The survey also shows that, even a year after the incident, a large number of people still suffer significant psychological problems including nightmares, flashbacks and feelings of panic.
Dr Kate Gillespie - who has dealt with many of those experiencing traumatic effects - said people who suffered acute short-term distress reactions in the weeks that followed the bombing, had since recovered.
"However, we know from our work and the study that a large number of people continue to suffer significant psychological problems.
"It is important that people seek help for themselves or for friends and family members about whom they are concerned, sooner rather than later."
Media coverage of the incident and its aftermath was also put under the spotlight.
Most felt it helped explain the impact of the bombing and also encouraged people to come to terms with what had happened. It also proved a valuable source by informing people where to get help.
Michael Duffy, Coordinator of the Community Trauma and Recovery Team felt that now that the first anniversary had passed, it would be helpful if people were allowed to address personal, family and community needs away from the glare of media attention.
"The media have been helpful in enabling this community to express its distress and its hopes. Likewise, people who regard Omagh and Tyrone as home, but who live far away, have been able to share in the unfolding story of Omagh through television, radio and the papers.
"It is also encouraging that, in this study, many people highlighted the role of the media in keeping them informed of where to get help and I think credit must go to the local papers in particular" he added.
Professor David Clark of Oxford University, who helped compile the survey, said its findings helped discover what leads to people suffering distress or trauma by events such as the Omagh bombing.
This particular study was also particularly helpful, given the large number of people who had participated, he said.
Commenting on the overall findings of the survey, the Chief Executive of Sperrin Lakeland Trust, Hugh Mills said the results would now enable trauma experts target their resources more effectively.
"We are most grateful to everyone who felt able to participate in this study. Their contribution has resulted in a very important set of findings, which will be of immediate benefit to the work being undertaken by the Community Trauma and Recovery Team and by other departments within the Trust.
"The findings will also help us to best plan services in the days ahead with greater confidence, and will help us to target our efforts most effectively."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1303
Published Date: 02-Sep-99
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