For Immediate Release
“The tsunami events in Southeast Asia thrust natural disaster on an unprecedented scale into our living rooms. Dealing with the following stresses could affect the survivors for their lifetimes. Disasters can happen in Alberta too—we have to be prepared to deal with them. That is the focus of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder workshop being held in Edmonton, February 4, 2005,” says Dr. Shirley Vandersteen, psychologist and presenter and Dr. Wendy White psychiatrist and presenter.
The impact of trauma can last a lifetime. Traumatic events may include military combat, violent personal assault (sexual assault, physical attack, child abuse, kidnapping, bullying, workplace harassment), severe accidents, terrorist attacks, natural or manmade disasters, or medical trauma. Often the onset of symptoms occurs well after the event and people may have difficulty in dealing with the impact.
The need to respond quickly to disaster situations led to the formation of a partnership between the Canadian Red Cross in Alberta and the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. When a disaster situation occurs the Red Cross can call upon a network of volunteer psychologists who will provide services to victims of disaster.
“The response from Alberta psychologists has been phenomenal,” says Dr. Sonia Masciuch, Disaster Response Network Coordinator for the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. “Already 45 psychologists are onboard and more are expected. They come from every part of Alberta and all are committed to volunteering their professional expertise to help people recover from unexpected disasters.”
“Originally the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder workshop was geared to providing training for these volunteers,” adds Dr. Masciuch. “The topic has generated so much interest that we had to find a larger venue to accommodate the about 100 registrants.”
The goal of the workshop is to provide psychologists and other health care professionals with appropriate diagnostic and treatment tools so they can recognize PTSD and effectively work with patients. When left untreated, trauma can take over the life of an individual with far-reaching and debilitating effects. With proper treatment however, people can resume a normal healthy lifestyle while at the same time hospital admissions, and visits to psychologists or physicians are minimized.
“Our association will be ready to spring into action to provide volunteer psychological services to victims of disaster whenever the Red Cross calls” concludes Dr. Masciuch.
The Canadian Red Cross Society is a not-for-profit humanitarian organization that assists individuals and families who are facing threats to their survival, safety, security and dignity. Last year, the Central & Northern Alberta Region of the Canadian Red Cross responded to 140 disasters.
Further information about psychological services is available on the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta website at www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca
For more information contact:
Dr. Shirley Vandersteen
Presenter
(780) 424-0123
Dr. Sonia Musciuch
Disaster Response Network Coordinator
Psychologists’ Association of Alberta
(780) 447-2614
