As the reality of terror attacks looms large in the world, Singapore’s government is responding by offering formal training to grassroots leaders. The training will help these individuals respond effectively to the mental health impact of a terror attack, if such an event occurs.

The Prime Minister Promotes Emergency Readiness

The effort is part of Singapore’s push for more emergency preparedness (EP). Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is encouraging all Singapore residents to learn the skills they need to calm a situation and to saves lives. “Not just today is an EP day, but in Singapore every day has to be an EP day,” he reminded citizens. “We have to understand the threat, prepare for it and to learn practical things that we can do.”

HEART Teams Lead the Training

The new training course is being conducted by mental health professionals in Singapore, including counsellors and psychologists from the Institute of Mental Health, the Home Team, and the Ministry of Social and Family Development. These groups are being referred to as Human Emergency Assistance and Response (HEART) teams. They aim to educate leaders and residents at the grassroots level.

The Content of the Training Course

During training, the participants will learn to recognise the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. They will be introduced to the telltale signs of mental distress and severe anxiety. In addition, they will be taught how to respond to citizens who are showing these symptoms.

Throughout the four-hour course, the participants will learn how to reassure panicking citizens, calm them down, and diffuse the situation. They will also receive instruction about giving psychological and emotional support until anxious individuals can be stabilised and turned over to a professional for more extensive care.

The Need for Long-Term Care

After a traumatic event, first responders can do wonders to calm residents and minimise the long-term psychological effects of the trauma. However, some people will still need long-term mental health care after a terror attack or a similarly frightening event.

At Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic, one of the effective treatments we offer is eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, or EMDR. It can be very helpful for patients who are suffering the aftereffects of a traumatic experience, or who are experiencing unusually high levels of anxiety. If you suspect that you may be suffering panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other conditions as a result of traumatic memories, ask your Singapore psychiatrist at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic about EMDR treatment.

Other Treatment and Therapy Options

In addition to EMDR, our team of psychiatrists in Singapore offer other treatments for anxiety, trauma, and related issues. Art therapy has proven to be extremely helpful to patients of all ages, as it encourages them to release emotions in a non-threatening way, within a secure environment. Clinical hypnosis, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and grief therapy are also available at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic. Call today to set up your first consultation with one of our caring mental health professionals.

News Feed from Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic

Sources: Chanel NewsAsia , 19 March, 2017