Three days later the biggest storm of the 21st century In Spain we continue to know all the details of the tragedy: more than a hundred deaths, dozens of people who spent days locked up, millions of losses and entire cities devastated by water.
However, we have also echoed stories that make our hair stand on end, but for good reason: heroic rescueshundreds of volunteers and people who risked his life to save others. And they succeeded. What mark will this leave on all of us?
If there is damage that cannot be counted in millions of euros or cubic meters, it is psychological. It is for this reason that there are already hundreds of psychologists experts in emergency situations who collaborate, some selflessly, to everyone affected can recover from this hard blow.
The Magas team spoke with one of them, Pilar Carolina Castelao Legazpi (30 years old), who has more than five years of experience in the coordination and management of all types of Psychological assistance in critical situations. In fact, he was already present in other events such as the invasion of Ukraine or the attack on Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Even He treated the health workers who protected us during the pandemic. But how do you manage a person’s pain in extreme contexts? And her? How do you protect your mental health?
Your support for Valencia
“I wouldn’t understand my job if I couldn’t help treat the deepest pain And shed some light in moments of so much darkness”, Pilar begins by saying: Doctor very good mention in Health Psychology in the Personality modality, psychological assessment and treatments.
She is part of Team Stimulus, a company specializing in the management of psychosocial risks serving victims of Valencia. For this reason, during these days he works overtime to collaborate as much as possible. “There are many companies concerned about the well-being of their workers who share with us their concern about how to help them face emotional aftereffects and strengthen their resilience,” he explains.
In fact, many have already asked specialized listening and psychological support services “24 hours a day, seven days a week, for its employees and members of their families,” specifies the expert. For Pilar, her priority is now respond to calls related to emotional distress people living in the affected areas, as well as their uncertainty, fear and frustration. “We are trying to create a favorable environment so that they can better cope with this situation. serious and sudden event“, he adds.
Listening and understanding
To bring your work to as many people as possiblePilar Carolina Castelao is supported by a team that, in moments of greatest chaos, prioritize needs: “When we are informed of an emergency situation, we collect information about the people affected and assess the type of intervention necessary.”
Then, they decide how many hours of care they will offer and with how many professionals and, “in less than 72 hours we transport our team of expert emergency psychologists to the field”. And there, your work begins.
Psychologically, what are the primary needs of those affected?
People need security, to feel that we are in a place where we are not in danger and that our loved ones are too. In addition, it must be understood that the rescuers and the various agents involved are doing everything in their power to help get things back on track. Remember that when faced with an abnormal situation, any reaction can be considered normal.
It is important to explain to those affected that their emotional reactions, such as fear, sadness or confusion, are normal responses to an extreme situation, and above all to listen to them, allow them to speak and express their feelings without being judged.
Where possible, try to remove them from the chaos and noise of the disaster, as well as facilitate reconnection with family, friends, neighbors, so that they can support each other and share their experiences. Clear and precise information must be given, simple instructions are very important so that they focus on specific tasks. Let’s not forget that your brain and heart devote many resources to processing what you are experiencing.
In the long term, how does such a disaster affect a person’s life?
Everyone reacts differently to traumatic situations and the healing process can vary, but psychological intervention is essential now and in the days that follow so that it does not turn into something worse. However, I must say that not all effects are negative.
Some people may experience some post-traumatic growth or resilience and, from these unpleasant experiences, develop a greater capacity for empathy, appreciation of life, and restructuring of priorities. Once again, in the face of this emergency, we can see how people are acting, each to the best of their abilities, through cooperation and collaboration.
You were present during the pandemic, a period that symbolized a turning point in the treatment of mental health. How do you remember these difficult times?
Yes, I helped during the 2020 pandemic at an organization specializing in emergency psychology. As soon as the state of alert was declared, I devoted my body and my soul to supporting the healthcare professionals working on the front line and the bereaved people who lost their loved ones in this abnormal situation that we had to experience.
I remember it as a moment of absolute dedication, where I put all my tools into action to emotionally support the people most affected. It was difficult, but that’s precisely why we do what we do, right?
Emergency psychologists are also sometimes overwhelmed by sadness or worry. How not? But we get up immediately so that, with our involvement, our humanity and our commitment, we can act. We must rise to the occasion. We owe it to ourselves.
Do you remember a performance that marked you and that you still live with today?
Yes, there are several, but right now comes to mind the memory of a person I treated immediately after devastating news: his companion was an emergency professional and died during an intervention .
I do not forget her words when I finished my task with her: “Thank you, Pilar, for helping me manage my difficult process, thank you for your involvement, my beloved will always be in my thoughts and so will you , since you I was able to transform my pain.”
The reality is that I also remember him… I admit that each person we work with also teaches us something.
As a psychologist, how can we protect ourselves from all these disasters?
Self-care is especially important for those of us who are exposed to so much pain and stress. For me specifically, it helps me respect my disconnection time and get plenty of rest. I try to enjoy free time with my family and friends, I walk, I dance…
But we must not forget that, in situations like the one we are experiencing, psychological support for rescuers from professionals with expertise in post-traumatic stress is also essential.
Yesterday, without going any further, I told a friend that I had been in “action mode” all day to try to do my best and contribute to helping the families of the deceased, the missing and the expelled. Then he asked me how I was. The truth is that I hadn’t thought about it until that moment. We must always take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others.
