Helping the helpers

FOLLOWING the events in Bali, the embassy in Jakarta requested psychological support for those members closely involved in the bombing and its aftermath.

People caught up in similar events may display symptoms of hyper-arousal, poor sleep, general agitation and tearfulness.

Senior Psychologist Maj Julie Pert led a Critical incident Mental Support (CMS) team consisting of two psychologists, a psych examiner and a padre in to Indonesia on October 17.

Their brief was initially to assist Defence personnel but was later expanded to include Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, other embassy staff and spouses.

Maj Pert said they had seen more than 30 people, whose responses varied according to the role they had played in events, such as a person who felt a sense of control over what was happening and know what their purpose.

These people could find it an “incredibly exhilarating experience”.

“So for a lot of people it has been very positive to be able to utilise their skills and training in order to coordinate and organise what would otherwise be an uncontrollable, chaotic situation,” she said.

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