Mental Health Problems and Self-Healing of Tsunami
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2010-10-14
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Journal of Mental Health of Thailand - วารสารสุขภาพจิต แห่งประเทศไทย
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to describe mental health problems, self-healing andfactors enhancing self-healing of tsunami survivors in Lambom and Namkem Villages.Materials and methods This was a qualitative study. The data were collected usingfocus group discussions with members of House Construction Group (n = 8) and Lay ProtectionVolunteers Group (n = 9), and in-depth interviews with villagers (n = 21). The informants weretsunami survivors living in Lambom and Namkem Villages, Pung-Nga Province. Data were analyzedusing thematic analysis according to Polit \& Hunger.Results Mental health problems comprised stress and worry, fear, insomnia, andloneliness. Strategies used to heal themselves consisted of 5 aspects, firstly a group healingprocess: House Construction Group and Lay Protection Volunteers Group, secondly selfadaptation to live with risks and fears: rumor management, thirdly using time to heal self,fourthly avoiding to talk about the loss and trying to forget painful past events, and lastlydevelopment of psychological strength. Factors influencing self-healing were 1) having newchildren or grand children, 2) having new wife or husband, and 3) having sufficient socialsupport during the critical period.Conclusion The informants adopted group process, self adaptation and developmentof psychological strength to heal themselves and neglected to confront the problems and the useof mental health services. They believed that the time and the avoidance of talking about painfulpast events could heal mental health problems. Strategies should be used to integrate mental healthactivities to the services to be congruent with community health resources, beliefs and cultures.Key words : mental health problems, self-healing, tsunamia
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Journal of Mental Health of Thailand - วารสารสุขภาพจิต แห่งประเทศไทย; Volume 18 Number 3 September 2010; 177-188