Volcanic eruption on La Palma
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Sep 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Group for Psychological Intervention in Emergencies and Catastrophes (GIPEC) of the Official College of Psychology of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the island of La Palma has been activated on Sunday to provide psychological care in the emergency to people evacuated by the eruption of the volcano.
At this time, there are nine GIPEC psychologists activated on La Palma, who could be joined in the next few hours, if necessary, by members of the Group from the island of Tenerife.
As on other occasions, GIPEC has been activated by 112 in accordance with the agreement signed with the SUC for intervention in so-called non-routine incidents.
Currently, a total of 45 psychologists with training in emergency psychology make up this specialized Group, prepared to intervene in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The work of the emergency psychologist is to help affected people to cope with the situation of uncertainty or possible fear or anxiety in the situation they are experiencing, and pay attention to emotional reactions, and specifically to risk groups: children, older people, people especially affected by the disaster.
It is also their function, among others, to provide psychological support to professionals involved in the emergency (firefighters, police, health, etc.).
