Counselling Quake Victims

The WHO defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. A basic human right, it underpins individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in for socio-economic development. Among the factors that degrade mental health, traumatic experience is a major one. And a disaster – that not only leaves a trail of destruction but also kills people in a great number – can well be a source of trauma for the survivors. One such traumatic event has been the 6.4-magnitude Jajarkot earthquake that struck the districts of West Rukum and Jajarkot on the night of November 3, 2023, killing hundreds and injuring many more.