Haiti 2010 earthquake - 50000 victims - ways of help
January 12, 2010, at 21:53 UTC, (4:53 pm local time) Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. The epicenter of the quake was just off the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. The capital city was devastated, aid centers were rendered inoperable. Aid from around the world has begun to arrive but it is feared that help will arrive too late for many. ESTSS therefore supports the ways of help ISTSS is promoting [41.6 kB]
January 2010

Report warns of Pakistan's younger generation losing faith in democracy
The Guardian reports, that Pakistan will face a "demographic disaster" if its leaders fail to invest in a youth population that is disturbingly cynical about democracy, has greatest faith in the military and is resentful of western interference, according to a study published tomorrow.
The report, commissioned by the British Council, says the nuclear-armed country is at a critical point, with its population forecast to swell by 85 million, from its current 180 million.
Declan Walsh in the Guardian
November 2009

Unicef: Afghanistan für Kinder am gefährlichsten
The German Newspaper Süddeutsche reports, that Unicef considers Afghanistan as the most dangerous country for children, especially for girls. 70% of the population cannot use clear water, 257 out of 1000 babies die.
Reuters, Die Sueddeutsche
November 2009

Women and war. Researchers find a link between sexual trauma and post-deployment PTSD, but signs of resilience, too.
With more American women fighting-and dying-for their country than ever before, psychologists are exploring how they may fare differently from their male counterparts. For one, psychologists have found that women who experienced sexual harassment or trauma before or during their military service are more likely to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder than those who were not sexually traumatized. And on a more hopeful note, psychological research finds that female soldiers in combat may be more resilient to its effects than male soldiers.
Christopher Munsey reports in Monitor on Psychology at APA online
September 2009

Ansbach: Amoklauf an Gymnasium. Bewaffnet mit Axt und Molotowcocktail
In Germany, police shot a teenager, after having been informed, that he attacked his school and intented to run amok. The new strategy of the police probably saved the life of other pupils in this school. This is a German text.
'......Nur elf Minuten nach dem Notruf aus der Schule nahm die Polizei den 18-Jährigen fest. Zuvor hatte er acht Mitschüler und einen Lehrer verletzt.'
Die Sueddeutsche
September 2009

Sammler von Ungerechtigkeiten
Also in German, you can read a psychiatric comment the above mentioned school attack in Ansbach, focusing on the person running amok. Several factors contribute to this phenomen.
'....Wer wird zum Amokläufer, was sind die Folgen für die Betroffenen - und wie man solche Taten verhindern kann.....'
Max Hägler in Die Sueddeutsche
September 2009

Calais immigrants move out of the 'jungle' into the wasteland.
People have been sleeping rough after a dawn raid on the makeshift camp. '...The first thing that hits you is the smell: of unwashed bodies, dirty clothes, and desperation. ...' A report about the situation in Calais, where immigrants were moved to another place gives an insight into the French immigration policy.
Alexandra Topping in Calais and Angelique Chrisafis in Paris for The Guardian
September 2009

Die Tetris-Therapie; Computerspiele gegen Flashbacks
The German Newspaper Süddeutsche describes the impact of the Computer-Game Tetris on Flashbacks, which was investigated by Emily Holmes in Oxford. The Journal asks, if a computer game could be more effective than therapy. '....Das Computerspiel Tetris beugt offenbar quälenden Erinnerungen vor. Gehört das Klötzchen-Puzzle bald zur Standardausrüstung von Rettungskräften und Soldaten? ...'
Simone Einzmann in Die Sueddeutsche
September 2009

Virtual healing
New research finds that cyber environments are enhancing care for post-traumatic stress disorder, autism and more. For many clinicians, the thought of using video games, Second Life, virtual reality and other cybertechnology to treat clients might seem as unfamiliar as applying acupuncture needles or prescribing homeopathic remedies. But new research is demonstrating that these technologies do enhance the effectiveness of clinical work, at least in some domains. Several meta-studies are described.
Tori DeAngelis in Monitor on Psychology at APA online
September 2009

Veterans abandoned to private hells
It hurts "Jim" that when he was medically discharged from the army with psychiatric problems in 2007, he was left for six weeks without any money. It pains him that he was asked to work 20-hour days in Iraq, facing constant mortar barrages without any protective armour. The Australian News claims the lack of empathy, public understanding and recognition for veterans returning form overseas. A few cases are described.
Paul Toohe in The Australian News
September 2009

Backsliding on Human Rights
The New York Times comments on the new policy of US towards United Nations with a special focus on human rights. The United States has finally agreed to pay off $2 billion in outstanding U.N. dues. Later this month, Obama will chair a session of the Security Council on nuclear proliferation - the first American president to do so. But the last year has seen worrying trends at the U.N. for the U.S. and Europe. Support for their human rights positions continues to slide, poisoning diplomacy in New York and Geneva and even threatening to undermine the U.N.'s ability to deliver humanitarian aid.
Richard Gowan and Franziska Brantner in the New York Times
September 2009

Ein Psychiater für 4500 Soldaten
According to the German newspaper Süddeutsche, German soldiers suffer from PTSD, when returning from Afghanistan. The psychological services are said not to be enough and sufficient. Article in German. '....Für die Behandlung traumatisierter Soldaten ist die Bundeswehr offenbar nicht ausreichend gerüstet. Laut einem aktuellen Expertenbericht ist derzeit nur die Hälfte der insgesamt 40 Facharztstellen für Psychiatrie im Sanitätsdienst besetzt. Für 4500 Soldaten im Afghanistan-Einsatz steht demnach gerade mal ein Psychiater zur Verfügung....'
Peter Blechschmidt in Die Sueddeutsche
September 2009

Vietnam's Damage, four decades later
The most authoritative study conducted on the disorder and Vietnam veterans, in 1988, the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, estimated that at the time, 500,000 of the 3.14 million Americans who served in Vietnam had P.T.S.D., and a total of 1 million had experienced it at some point. New York Times desribes the actual problems.
Michael Winerip in the New York Times
September 2009

Turkish psychosocial intervention to Marmara flash flood
Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) deployed 2 psychologists and 2 social workers to the flood affected regions so as to carry out need assessment interviews with victims of floods and local government authorities as well. The Union of Psychosocial Services in Disasters (UPDS) is being vigilant and initiated to necessary actions to be mobilized at earliest. UPDS is established to mitigate psychosocial affects of disasters and to develop the logical frame of psychosocial support interventions. At least 30 volunteers from mentioned associations are ready for psychosocial intervention at affected places. Visit the IFRC website for up to date information and a full TRC report
September 2009