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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/14428
Title: | The 2004 Tsunami in Penang, Malaysia: Early Mental Health Intervention | Contributor(s): | Krishnaswamy, Saroja (author); Subramaniam, Kavitha (author); Indran, Tishya (author); Low, Wah-Yun (author) | Publication Date: | 2012 | DOI: | 10.1177/1010539512453261 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/14428 | Abstract: | Disasters, natural or man-made, bring numerous health care challenges. In any crisis, mental health programs are a requirement during both the acute and post emergency phases. In the Asian tsunami on December 26, 2004, some of the northwestern coastal areas of Malaysia, particularly the island of Penang, were affected with devastating effects on the residents. Such disasters can predispose to mental health problems among the affected people. An early mental health intervention program was carried out in Balik Pulau, Penang, an area badly affected by the tsunami. The objective of the intervention program was to identify the victims, counsel them, make referrals if necessary, and provide help and resources to prevent the development of mental health problems. Penang residents identified as tsunami victims by the local health authorities were recruited. A group of health care workers, school teachers, village authorities, and volunteers were trained to carry out the crisis intervention program by health care workers experienced in crisis interventions. A total of 299 adults participated in the crisis intervention program, with follow-up assessments being made 4 to 6 weeks later. At the follow-up assessment, 1% of the victims had a problem and they were then referred for further medical assessment. This indicates that the intervention program in the first 2 weeks after the tsunami disaster with referrals to medical services may have helped stabilize the victims. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Source of Publication: | Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 24(4), p. 710-718 | Publisher: | Sage Publications, Inc | Place of Publication: | United States of America | ISSN: | 1941-2479 1010-5395 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 111714 Mental Health 040604 Natural Hazards 160702 Counselling, Welfare and Community Services |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 420313 Mental health services 370903 Natural hazards 440902 Counselling, wellbeing and community services |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 920410 Mental Health 920407 Health Protection and/or Disaster Response 961002 Natural Hazards in Coastal and Estuarine Environments |
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 200409 Mental health 200406 Health protection and disaster response |
Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
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Appears in Collections: | Journal Article |
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