The Official College of Psychology of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has served, through its Emergency and Catastrophe Intervention Group (GIPEC), more than 300 affected for him fire originating in Arafo last August 15.
A team of 60 psychologists He has been working since then in the different pavilions set up throughout the island to welcome those displaced by the fire.
The dean of the College, Carmen Linares, highlights in a statement that psychological support “becomes vital at this time, in which the shock from the fire and the uncertainty about what may happen mean that many of those affected do not know how to manage themselves. in these situations.”
Furthermore, the dean highlights, “on this occasion we saw how the majority of those affected initially arrived at the ward not only with high levels of anxiety, but also with a great need for relief”, which is why all the professionals in the COP were carrying out a professional accompaniment through the different enabled pavilions.
The secretary of the Official College of Psychology of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and coordinator of the intervention, Tamara Cabrera, points out that “the significant number of volunteers, as well as those affected, highlight the importance of access to psychological care in situations of emergency or catastrophes of this caliber.”
The attention provided has focused on active listening and psychological assistance so that the people treated can face anxiety crises, negative anticipatory thoughts or even conflict resolution, among other aspects.
Furthermore, during the first days of the fire, the Official College of Psychology of Santa Cruz de Tenerife also set up helplines for psychological support for those affected who, instead of being evicted, had to confine themselves to their homes.
