WHO alarmed over mental health of flood victims

MANILA, Philippines – The World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted Philippine health authorities over a possible rise in the incidence of mental disorders among flood victims in the country.

Dr. Shin Young Soo, WHO’s Western Pacific regional director said health authorities must look for signs of deteriorating mental condition among those still living in floodwaters.

Shin explained that many of the Filipinos who still live under floodwaters are anxious and distressed after what they have gone through.

“That is a perfectly normal reaction, but the danger is that they might become frustrated and angry if their physical and mental needs are not taken care of as the days go by,” Shin pointed out.

A month after three deadly typhoons swept the Philippines, Shin said, more than a million people continue to live in floodwaters and with little prospect that the water will drain away before the end of the year.

Shin further noted that nearly 102,000 people remain in evacuation centers, often in dire conditions.

He added that tens of thousands of people are at risk of contracting leptospirosis, a bacterial disease caused by contact with water contaminated with urine from rats and other mammals as well as other health threats.

The WHO official then called on government health experts to watch out for signs of a deteriorating mental state such as sleeplessness, antisocial behavior and suicidal tendencies.

“This is about the time when we might be seeing worrying reactions such as these so government officials and relief workers should be on the lookout for signs,” he said.

WHO also warned of psychosocial stress on relief workers, many of who have been working seven days a week since tropical storm Ondoy struck on Sept. 26.

“Confronting danger and human misery for days on end, often without proper rest, exacts a heavy emotional toll on these people,” he said.

Rescue workers were reported digging for days through mud and rock to reach survivors, only to find decomposing bodies. In some areas, rescuers braved raging floodwaters to bring to safety residents stranded on rooftops.

Some rescuers even watched their colleagues lose their lives trying to save others.

“Agencies involved in responding to the floods can support their workers by being aware of the signs of burnout and by having systems in place to respond appropriately,” Shin said.

WHO recommended simple measures such as ensuring people have adequate food, hygiene and accommodation, that they work in shifts of no more than 12 hours and that they take regular breaks.

Emergency workers can sometimes be so overwhelmed by the scale of a disaster and by the suffering they witness that their performance becomes significantly impaired.

“ If this happens, they should be allowed to withdraw without prejudice. A dysfunctional helper is no help to anyone,” Shin said.