FIRST PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LJUBLJANA

Abstract

This article chronologically outlines the development of organised provision of first psychosocial support to the residents of the Municipality of Ljubljana in disaster response over the period 2013-2017. It examines the provision of first psychosocial support from the time of the occurrence of a natural disaster to one week after it. After this initial period, care is provided by medical and social institutions as part of their regular activities. A timely identification of the need of the affected residents and those at risk for such support, and the activation and response of teams for psychosocial support after disasters, is important for proper decision-making, efficient rescue, and the fastest possible establishment of basic living conditions. Such support can have preventive and curative effects. The distress of the residents at risk and those affected by a disaster does not evolve to the extent it could have done if there was no response or if the response came too late, and the distress that the residents do suffer is relieved more easily and quickly with direct assistance and support at the site.