Psychological support to be offered in wake of Ankara attack

Psychological support will be offered to citizens and relatives of victims killed in the Ankara attack on Sunday by Turkey's Psychosocial Support Network, according to a press release.

Stressing the need for solidarity, the network including the Ankara Chamber of Medicine, Ankara-based branches of the Health and Social Services Laborer Union and Social Service Experts Association, the Turkish Medical Association, the Psychiatric Association of Turkey and the Turkish Psychological Association have condemned the attack and announced that psychological therapy can be necessary to avoid deep and traumatic aftereffects of the attack on the victims' relatives. The network said that mental health is greatly affected by the terror attacks which cause not only sorrow but also growing concern for the public.

The citizens of Ankara can directly contact the Ankara Psychological Solidarity Network (APSDA). The network also offers help for residents who witnessed the attack. The network came together after the Oct. 10 Ankara bombing to offer psychological therapy. People exposed to violence, terrorism, serious accidents, forced relocation or natural catastrophes such as earthquakes or hurricanes may experience strong emotional aftershocks or physical reactions even though they may not be in danger. In other cases, survivors of such traumatic events commonly develop a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A bomb-laden vehicle which exploded between two passenger buses near crowded bus stops located at the heart of the city on Sunday evening completely destroyed vehicles and buses. The health minister announced on Monday that the death toll has risen to 37.