Levu: Trauma Affects Decision Making, Freezes Productivity

No one is resistant to trauma, says Transcend Oceania executive director Adi Vasulevu Levu.

She said trauma affects decision making, causes harm to physical health and freezes one’s productivity at work, family and community.

During the one-day Trauma Informed Awareness Monitoring Evaluation Reflections and Learning programme at Labasa Market, Ms Levu said no one was resistant to trauma, even though humans were resilient and it was something one must understand and pay attention to.

“Vendors and community leaders who attended the session shared appreciation of the knowledge gained as they became aware of traumatic experiences which they had been through physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually,” Ms Levu said.

“Some of them were caused by impacts of climate change, domestic and community violence and conflicts.”

She said the municipal market was a good venue to have this programme because it was a central place in Labasa where lot of activities and movement of people happened throughout the week. “Some vendors and community leaders don’t know where to get help in regards to trauma and emotional distress related to natural disaster and climate change and through this programme they understood where to go for counselling and further referrals,” she said.

“While we are still in the cyclone season, we hope to get help across as much as we can so that people are prepared.”

After the programme, the staff of Transcend Oceania visited various villages and settlements in Macuata, Bua and Cakaudrove Provinces this week to reach out to inform people with awareness on trauma and how they can get healed.