About 40 mental health professionals are already on Larisa General Hospital trying to support the families of those who died in a fatal accident in the city. Tempewhile their momentum is expected to be boosted by new moves from Athens.

Mr. Yiannis Papageorgiou, Director General of Thessaly Psychiatric Care and Rehabilitation Association (THEPSYPA), describes to “K” the extremely difficult situation they have to deal with, as the victims’ bodies from train collision. “Relatives have been in the city since the evening before yesterday. Yesterday, the secret service came from Athens to take DNA samples and today we are waiting for identification. This is a laborious process, and the longer it drags on, the greater the pain of people who are patiently waiting to receive or identify their own identity. This is the scene of a war with many casualties. “Mental health scientists are doing everything humanly possible, but we can only imagine what it’s like to lose a loved one and not yet see them.”

Mental Health First Aid

Mr Menelaos Theodoroulakis in charge 24-hour psychological support hotline 10306 and the President of the Argo Federation of Psychiatric Agencies explains that “the basic rule of first aid in mental health is not to deal with the event or trauma that caused it, but to so that our neighbor does not feel helpless or alone“.

As for the families of the victims, Mr. Theodoroulakis explains that they have not yet grieved, but are in the process of anger and management. “We respect their feelings and dignity. We are quiet next to themwe do not start a conversation ourselves, but who needs to talk knows that a mental health professional is available to him. In Greece, of course, bereavement is quite a family affair, so anyone who doesn’t want to talk to us, we let him handle it as he sees fit. Grieving the loss of a child is very difficult. In these cases we will definitely activate a familiar and friendly environment because these parents need support from their people. Let’s not leave anyone alone“.

Support Features

In conclusion, Mr. Theodoroulakis adds that after the completion of the rescue process, there will be anonymous online support from mental health consultants to lifeguards and Hellenic Train or OSE executives who feel they need it.

Relatives and friends of victims can seek psychological support in 24 hours based telephone line 10306and also at Larissa Hospital.

Expected in the coming hours list of local agencies which will offer appropriate support services.