More and more Koreans complain of trauma due to the Itaewon disaster, but the government’s treatment system is not working properly, experts pointed out, calling for active support and countermeasures to overcome the collective trauma.
In a notice sent to its members, the Korean Association of Psychiatric Practitioners (KAPP) proposed to operate a “fast-track treatment system, which provides priority care for people related to the disaster, including the victims’ bereaved family members, who require swift therapeutic intervention and asked for the members’ active participation in it.
People related to the disaster include victims’ bereaved family members and acquaintances, injured people and their family members, and eyewitnesses, including journalists, firefighters, police officers, and emergency aid workers.
“It’s been a week since the Itaewon disaster happened, and KAPP has thought about how to deal with it,” the association said. “We did our best to expand the number of counseling personnel at the joint memorial altar in the Seoul Plaza and guided various institutions to receive appropriate psychological support.”
The KAPP made sure that those who complained of trauma related to this disaster could receive medical treatment quickly by asking for cooperation from psychiatrists at existing institutions rather than separate institutions. The KAPP did its best to ensure that people in shock and sadness due to the catastrophic accident could receive prompt medical treatment using the existing network, it added.
“There have been efforts to strengthen psychological support for national disasters. However, the nation has failed to establish such a system as time passed,” it said. “We will do our best to provide faster and more convenient support by taking realistic measures.”
Five other related associations, including the Korea Neuro-Psychiatric Association (KNPA), also pointed out that the demand for mental health services has drastically increased due to the Itaewon disaster, making it difficult to operate the “Itaewon Accident Integrated Psychiatric Support center” prepared by the government.
They then called for more active and systematic support from the government.
“Mental health experts in the field judge people’s traumatic responses are more serious than ever due to the unexpected disaster,” they said in a joint statement. “An integrated psychological support center has been formed. However, it falls far short of meeting the demand for mental health services far greater than expected.”.
The five groups called for the government to work out more positive steps and support systems to ensure the provision of psychiatric services based on the analysis of the integrated support system, particularly for people who were at the scene, joined in rescue efforts, aid workers, and bereaved family members to maintain their mental health.
The groups also noted that videos related to the accident still circulate, calling for the government to check and block such activities quickly.
“Despite experts' concerns, harrowing videos related to the accident are being circulated, and articles that defame the deceased still exist in various media outlets,” they said. “We strongly recommend the government manage and inspect such situations to prevent further damage.”