The massive earthquakes on February 6th that hit Turkey and Syria have caused huge destruction, loss of lives and loss of safety to thousands of people. ESTSS is deeply saddened and expresses our condolences and sympathy with the people who have been affected and are still affected by the aftermath of this disaster.
As a traumatic stress community ESTSS would like to share our solidarity with the individuals who have been directly and indirectly affected, including the professionals involved in crisis relief. The emotional impact of the experiences and images of the devastation can be profound and sometimes long-lasting. For some, they can also bring back unwanted memories or hurt from the past. Offering practical support can help people stay resilient and offer ways for people to connect to each other. On estss.org please find materials that can help professionals and non-professionals how to lend effective support in the immediate and longer term after a humanitarian crisis.
For three decades ESTSS has been a close-knit international community with vast knowledge on the consequences of human adversities. We appeal to all of our members to provide support through knowledge, information and guidance for the survivors and colleagues dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.
Dr. Joanne Mouthaan
President of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
