The Saudi Psychiatric Society has sent volunteers to areas hit by the floods in Jeddah to help victims cope with post-traumatic stress induced by the scenes they have witnessed. Society Chairman Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Shawoush said that those who had lost loved ones and persons helping in rescue efforts who were exposed to traumatic scenes could suffer overwhelming shock and grief manifested in acute sensations of panic and restlessness. “In times likes these it is essential that people get the support they need from persons qualified to help them through what they have experienced. Some could experience high degrees of pessimism, some prolonged denial or shock, while others may even suffer memory loss related to traumatic incidents. Increased shock may appear in individuals vividly reliving the traumatic scenes they have witnessed,” Dr. Shawoush said. The Saudi Psychiatric Society set up volunteer teams of qualified psychiatrists and psychologists for help at the time of the emergency as well as post-catastrophe treatment in the districts of Al-Suleimaniya and Samer, with clinics open from 5 to 9 P.M. According to Dr. Shawoush, another team is working house-to-house offering its services to those who may not know that help is available, or even that they are in need of help. The society also has a land telephone line for consultation at 02521581, open from 5 to 9 P.M, and a mobile telephone number at 0594366986 open 24 hours. “We also provides medicine free of charge,” Dr. Shawoush said.
