Mental health support during disasters

Disaster preparedness should address survivors’ emotional and psychological needs.

Whenever there is a mass casualty, coverage of the casualties and discussion of the death toll are usually the main focus. Many find it hard to look away when a disaster unfolds right before our eyes. Media coverage, YouTube channels, platforms like X, TikTok and Instagram have all played their role in becoming spaces for news and information during critical times. However, when the news, distressing footage and first-hand experiences are accessible to all, it is crucial to wonder how events like these are affecting families who may be waiting to hear from a loved one engulfed by the tragedy, people who have survived similar traumas in the past, and families who have lost a loved one to such tragedies.