THE AUGUST & NOVEMBER 1999
TURKISH EARTHQUAKES:
An EMDR HAP progress report
Emre Konuk, President, Turkish Psychologists Association,
Istanbul Chapter
I would like to give you a progress report on our projects related to the earthquake
disaster. We appreciate and thank you for your ongoing and generous contributions
in these projects.
The Picture: In August and November 1999 earthquakes, it is estimated that 25.000
people died. 65.000 houses collapsed and another 85.000 are in unlivable condition.
This amounts to more than 750.000 homeless people. Of these, around 170.000 remained
in the area living in prefabs. The rest moved to their villages and towns in Anatolia.
As can be expected, there is too much demand for psychiatric and psychological
help. In a screening we undertook in May 2000 (240 earthquake victims), around
70 % were diagnosed as having PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
The Projects: The Turkish Psychologists Association (TPA), Istanbul Chapter is
running five closely linked projects regarding the earthquake disaster:
1. Providing Psychological Services
2. Training Mental Health Providers
3. Trauma Therapy Center in Istanbul
4. Disaster Preparedness and Consultancy
5. Research
1. Providing Psychological Services
Until November 1999, TPA was giving psychological services at 30 ‘tent cities’
to people affected in the earthquake area. The service focused around acute stress
and basic interventions in the early phases of trauma. The professionals at the
sites gave information, feedback and suggestions to the volunteers working at
the sites.
2-4 TPA volunteers went to the sites for 1-4 days before being relieved by another
team. The teams worked on a volunteer basis.
By December 1999 TPA Ankara, Izmir and Bursa chapters ceased operating at the
sites because these cities are far away from the sites and mainly because the
professionals from there are mostly working for government, schools and universities.
They could not leave their jobs on a volunteer basis. So we have decided to work
at 6 counselling centers at strategic locations. At this moment, TPA, Istanbul
Chapter is operational in Izmit (at two prefab cities) and in Istanbul. Once a
week, around 8 to 10 professionals go to the sites and give therapy to their clients.
They also give training to the teachers working at the nurseries at the sites.
A new program specifically designed for traumatized children will be launched
within the ongoing process of our works. By October, 2000 TPA, Istanbul Chapter,
organized the clinical services and training the professional staff at Izmit Rehabilitation
Center (IREM) which is sponsored by AÇEV (Mother Child Education Foundation),
Project Hope and WASHA Israel.
2. Training Mental Health Professionals
Training in Early Intervention for Trauma: Right after the earthquake, through
the joint efforts of TPA, private counselling centers, NGOs and the Israeli Government,
teams from Israel were invited to give training to mental health providers and
students of mental health professions. They got a one to four days of training
about trauma, trauma related problems, acute stress disorders and basic interventions
in the early phases of trauma.
TPA, Istanbul Chapter formed a ‘Trauma Training Team’ to revise and
condense the basic training given by the Israeli teams to produce a one-day training.
This and other programs together with Ankara Chapter was given to around 900 volunteers
by the end of October, 1999.
Trauma Therapy Training: Knowing that by six months most of the earthquake victims
will be suffering from severe psychological problems, we have contacted EMDR Institute-HAP
(Humanitarian Assistance Programs) USA. The EMDR approach (Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing) is known to be working faster with trauma related problems in comparison
with most other approaches. It is also learned in a shorter time by mental health
professionals.
From October 1999 to June 2000, 100 professionals got their Level 1 and Level
2 EMDR trainings. Another 60 will get Level 2 training in February 2001. Up to
now 40 trainers and facilitators from the USA, Europe and Israel came to Turkey
and stayed average of 10 days for training and supervision. All trainings and
most of sessions are videotaped and being used by new trainees.
3. Trauma Therapy Center In Istanbul
Through generous funds and donations, we have recently acquired a flat in Nianta
1, Istanbul. The place is going to be both our office and Trauma Center. Besides
giving counselling services, it will play an important role in coordinating our
efforts of alleviating the negative effects of disasters and providing training
for the professionals who want to develop themselves and improve their skills.
The Trauma Center is conceived to be a place where research is a common practice
and where new ideas and creativity will be extensive. We also intend to turn it
into an internationally recognized center. We hope that it will serve as a model
for other Trauma Centers to be established in other parts of Turkey. It will also
give us an opportunity to set up a Trauma Library which will be the core source
of research and study for further developing our knowledge and remedial actions
about trauma. Our colleagues will find means to prepare themselves for the future
potential disasters and connect to other sources of information through this Centre.
It seems that for extended periods of time, The Centre will not be able to charge
for its services. So we will need funds for the restoration, interior decoration,
staff, maintenance, daily operations, and trainings.
4. Disaster Preparedness and Consultancy
After many revisions and modifications, the original training package developed
by the Trauma Training Team evolved into a Disaster Preparedness and Intervention
Program. It was awarded at the 1st Istanbul Assembly of Children organised by
the Istanbul Children Foundation as a P reject to be Supported’. The project
aims to prepare the school system, business organisations, GOs and NGOs for disasters
and traumatic events.
Many other professionals individually go to factories at the sites to work with
the workers and their families, and others join the work of other NGO's operational
at the sites or affected cities. In addition we are working in collaboration with
NGO's and schools who have taken over the responsibilities of hundreds of students
affected by the earthquake. These children and adolescents live in Istanbul and
go to the sites at weekends to join their families. We have developed with them
programs so that professionals either train their staff or go routinely to the
schools or dormitories and give psychological help.
5. Research
Both our practice and the pilot studies we have been doing at the sites indicate
that we are on the right track. By October 2000 an efficacy study of EMDR will
begin both with adults and children. We hope that the results will show us if
our approach requires modifications.
You will find below the proposed budget for the trainings, The Trauma Center and
for the operations of giving psychological services, and the list of our sponsoring
firms and individuals.
Yours truly,
Emre Konuk
President,
Turkish Psychologists Association
Istanbul Chapter
SPONSORS: INDIVIDUALS
Arthur Bodin Asaf Güneri Dennis A. Hunter Güneri Civao
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