Psycho Social Counseling for Rana Plaza Victims and Survivors

The Psycho Social Counseling (PSC) Unit from ASK teamed up with the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology of Dhaka University created a Support unit with trained counselors to provide psychological assistance to the injured survivors of Rana Plaza disaster in Savar.

The team has been working with survivors of the disaster since 25th April at Enam Medical College Hospital, and CMH Savar.  They worked with more patients who were transferred to  Dhaka Orthopedics Hospital and Sohrawardy Hospital.

After the patients became a little stable after their injury, ASK counselors  provided a regular schedule of treatment.

225 of the patients who have been treated by ASK PSC had been traumatised in addition to their physical injury. Symptoms included insomnia, breathing problems, flashbacks, fear, sadness, fear for the future.

lookASK is also proving counseling support to family members and those who are receiving follow up services through Bangladesh Institute of Labour Services (BILS) health centre at Savar, near Rana Plaza. BILS is  providing comprehensive support through a collective effort between doctors, physiologists, psychiatrists and counselors.

After observing the need for psychological therapy for rescuers through the media, ASK Psycho Social Counseling (PSC) unit offered counseling support to different organisations  which participated in the rescue operation.

The Fire Service and Civil Defense department expressed their need to work with professional staff and volunteers. PSC counselors decided to start group therapy from the 6th of June at ASK. Around 200 staff and volunteers will participated in the group therapy as well as counseling on an individual basis if need be. DSC_0062

In addition to this, those who were involved in the rescue operations have been receiving one to one support  or on the phone. Help over the phone has been offered to members from the onset.