CRISIS SUPPORT UNIT (CSU), NATURAL, TECHNOLOGICAL DISASTERS AND POST-TRAUMATIC DISORDERS OF THE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC OF THE GENERAL HOSPITAL OF CORFU “AGIA IRINI”
Man is inextricably linked to the environment. We could say that man is the part that nature created so that he can know and feel. Man is therefore the heart and mind of nature. Whatever happens within this framework affects the whole in one way or another. Thus, man can negatively or positively affect his environment and, respectively, the environment affects man.
The occurrence of natural or technological disasters can directly, indirectly and over a long period of time affect individuals and human societies. A series of issues therefore arise that are directly related to prevention, clinical application, education, information, organization, response, research and evaluation of the effects of these disasters.
For our country and especially for the Ionian region, these issues are of particular importance given, for example, the high seismicity of the wider region of the SE Mediterranean.
Consequently, it was deemed necessary and a psychological intervention team was created in crisis events, natural and technological disasters and post-traumatic disorders within the psychiatric clinic of the General Hospital.
It should be noted that in our country, the first specialized unit of this nature has existed and operated since 2005, at the Attica Psychiatric Hospital (P.H.A.) within the framework of the National Health Service.
When ordinary people are faced with unusual situations, a wide range of psychological and other problems can develop both at the individual and social level. The treatment of these reactions must be immediate and over a long period of time. We particularly refer to psychological reactions to disasters and events involving any form of crisis and to psychological syndromes that require immediate support at all levels (interpersonal, clinical, such as prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.).
We also refer to the specific needs of special population groups during a crisis and a disaster, as well as in the period after the crisis and the disaster. Such groups may be rescuers/helpers, children, the elderly, refugees and in general those who are direct witnesses and victims of a disaster.
Immediate priority issues of this unit are the development and implementation of the basic principles of psychosocial intervention, immediate psychological first aid and special psychological assistance techniques for specialists and non-specialists, research, training and evaluation. The unit is interdisciplinary and consists of colleagues from all branches and scientific specialties of the psychiatric sector of the General Hospital of Corfu. The training of the members of the Unit was carried out in a first phase by the corresponding team of the Psychiatric Hospital and by specialists. The Unit is currently in operational readiness.
The Director of the Psychiatric Clinic The Scientific Director of the Unit
Chaviaras Zannis Michalareas Ilias
Dr. Psychology, Dr. Geography
