Thirty-five counselors dispatched after establishment of facilities at Korea University Ansan Hospital and Ansan Mental Health Center

◇ The Gyeonggi-Ansan Integrated Disaster Psychological Support Group established counseling booths at Korea University Ansan Hospital and the Ansan Mental Health Center, providing counseling services to the victims and bereaved of the Sewol tragedy. ⓒ Gyeonggi G News Yoo Je-hoon

In response to the ferry accident at Jindo, the Gyeonggi Joint Countermeasures Headquarter announced on April 20 that it has been providing support such as psychological counseling and care services for the families of the Sewol victims.

The Gyeonggi-Ansan Integrated Disaster Psychological Support Group established counseling booths at Korea University Ansan Hospital and the Ansan Mental Health Center, and assigned 35 professional counselors to provide counseling services to those experiencing difficulties such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

The Psychological Support Group provided early psychological counseling to diagnose the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder through the evaluation of symptoms such as sleep disturbances and anxiety attacks among 50 people (28 students, 22 adults).

The province aided families in need of support caring for children and elderly parents, sending related officials of the Gyeonggi and Ansan Muhandolbom Center to funeral parlors and hospitals where those affected are undergoing medical treatment.

On the first day of the family care service, the province aided hospitals and victims’ families by providing meals and cleaning services to the homes of 37 elderly people and preschoolers.

Upon the request of the bereaved, the Joint Countermeasures Headquarters has been also providing funeral services such as reservation services for the funeral halls, vehicles and food for the families of the six victims with funerals planned for that day.

According to the Countermeasures Headquarters, a cremation ceremony for one teacher, surnamed Choi, was held on April 19 at the Suwon Crematorium, and the coffins of six victims were borne out in Ansan funeral halls that day.

Upon Ansan City’s request for designation as a Disaster Management Area, Gyeonggi Province requested central governmental support from the Ministry of Security and Public Administration on April 19 to promptly resolve the mental and financial difficulties suffered by family members of victims, Danwon High School students and Ansan citizens.

“As families of the injured and deceased have been staying in hospitals and funeral parlors for days, children and elders at home are in need of care,” said Hwang Jeong-eun, Gyeonggi Representative of the Joint Countermeasures Headquarters, at a briefing session. “We are providing psychological counseling for family members of victims, students and Ansan citizens.”

◇ The Gyeoonggi Joint Countermeasures Headquarters has been in operation from April 19 at the Ansan Olympic Memorial Hall. ⓒ Gyeonggi G News Yoo Je-hoon

ⓒGyeonggi G News | Lee Jun-gyun eyekle@hanmail.net 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201404201301107055C048&s_code=C048