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Trained Volunteer-Delivered Mental Health Support To Those Bereaved By Asian Tsunami — An Evaluation

Author

Listed:
  • L. Vijayakumar

    (SNEHA and Voluntary Health Services, India)

  • M. Suresh Kumar

    (National Institute of Epidemiology (Indian Council of Medical Research), India, dr_svk@vsnl.com)

Abstract

Introduction: While mental health consequences following the Asian December 2004 tsunami have been studied, its impact on the survivors who lost close family members deserves attention. We investigated the usefulness of trained volunteer-delivered mental health support for the bereaved persons. Method: Non-randomized control design involving all adults aged 18 years or above who lost at least one close family member during tsunami from two geographically different coastal areas in Chennai, India. From the intervention and control sites, 45 and 57 participants were recruited respectively for the study. One year after baseline assessment, all 102 participants in intervention and control sites were interviewed. Results: Participants receiving interventions on a consistent basis from trained volunteers were less likely to report depressive symptoms and general psychological distress compared with participants who did not receive the above intervention. Regression analysis for predicting the effect of intervention on the difference between the baseline and follow-up in BDI as well as GHQ scores, found a significant association between intervention and the improvement in BDI (adjusted β ( SE ): —0.53 (2.44); p = 0.000) and GHQ (adjusted β ( SE ): —0.52 (1.81); p = 0.001) scores. Suicidal attempts were also significantly less in the intervention group (FET p = 0.02). Conclusion: In settings where mental health professionals are limited in number, trained lay volunteers can offer empathetic listening, support and referrals that can be potentially beneficial.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Vijayakumar & M. Suresh Kumar, 2008. "Trained Volunteer-Delivered Mental Health Support To Those Bereaved By Asian Tsunami — An Evaluation," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(4), pages 293-302, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:4:p:293-302
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090283
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Becker, S.M., 2006. "Psychosocial care for adult and child survivors of the 2004 tsunami disaster in India," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(8), pages 1397-1398.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kyle Lipinski & Lucia L Liu & Paul WC Wong, 2016. "The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions implemented after the Indian Ocean Tsunami: A systematic review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 62(3), pages 271-280, May.
    2. O Abayomi & AO Adelufosi & A Olajide, 2013. "Changing attitude to mental illness among community mental health volunteers in south-western Nigeria," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 59(6), pages 609-612, September.
    3. N/A, 2011. "Mental health and psychosocial consequences of armed conflict and natural disasters," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(1_suppl), pages 57-78, March.

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