Demands for psychosocial support from communities vulnerable to natural disasters

Abstract

Objective: To identify the demands for the psychosocial care of vulnerable communities in the Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina Methods: Qualitative research, multiple case study, through narrative interviews with health professionals in three municipalities, from January to May 2018. The analysis of the narratives followed a formal analysis of the text, structural description of the content, analytical abstraction, analysis of knowledge, and contrastive comparison. Results: The described categories were: Meanings of the demands for support before the flood; Meanings of the demands during the occurrence of the disaster; Meanings of demands after the flood: psychosocial care; Meanings of the demands for monitoring the territory after the disaster. Conclusion: The identification of demands for mental health care after the disaster occurs through the search for health services, specific symptoms, and consequences of adapting to the recovery phase, such as migratory processes and temporary housing. The research contributes to the culture of care with a multiprofessional perspective in health care for the population affected by disasters.

Cultural adaptation of the guidelines for offering mental health first aid to a person after a potentially traumatic event: a delphi expert consensus study in Brazil

“…This may create an understanding that those who experience trauma and disasters are passive victims, unable to have done anything to prevent the disaster. As such, the experience of trauma generates fear, impotence, and insecurity, making them further vulnerable and passive [ 15 , 29 ]. Therefore, it is not expected that under these circumstances, people who have experienced potentially traumatic events will overcome and confront their difficulties with their own resources.…”

“…When exposure to potentially traumatic events occurs, timely and appropriate intervention may reduce the risk of developing mental health problems or reduce the severity of illness that does develop [ 15 ]. However, many of those at risk do not receive appropriate support or treatment, even if services are available.…”

The health burden of natural and technological disasters in Brazil from 2013 to 2021

“…In Brazil, clinical and demographical data related to victims of disasters are usually reported to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, whereas disasters are notified by the Brazilian Ministry of Defense. Therefore, it is difficult to analyze the association between disasters and health outcomes, including the spread of diseases and the impact on mental health 31,32,33 . Besides limiting the study, the lack of specific demographic and clinical data makes it more difficult to plan health assistance for specific health conditions and to specific population groups.…”