PROVIDING PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT TO THE POPULATION AFTER THE AUGUST 2023 FLOODS IN SLOVENIA

Abstract

In August 2023, Slovenia was struck by catastrophic floods which caused extensive damage and marked the worst natural disaster in the country’s history. The far-reaching consequences necessitated comprehensive psychosocial efforts to assist those affected. In the immediate aftermath of the floods, psychologists from the Civil Protection Psychological Unit provided psychological support to the population and rescuers, collaborating with municipal Civil Protection headquarters. Due to the overwhelming scale of need, a coordination committee was established to ensure psychosocial support, comprising representatives from various institutions under the guidance of the Mini­stry of Health and the National Institute of Public Health. The coordination committee organized the work of mobile teams of experts who provided psychosocial support in the affected areas. Individual and group debriefings, work­shops, and training sessions were also conducted. For individuals with more severe mental health issues, specialist services were available at Adult Mental Health Centres. In addition to professional psychosocial support, various forms of practical assistance were also provided. While recovery will be a long-term process, it is crucial that approp­riate support remains accessible to enable the population to effectively cope with the aftermath of this disaster.