Talk to your loved ones, psychologist urges those affected by crush horror

A LEADING psychologist has urged those affected by the St Patrick’s Day disco horror at the Greenvale Hotel “not to bottle up” their feelings and to spend time with their families and friends.

Dr Petra Corr, who heads psychological services in the Northern Health Trust, was speaking as a multi-agency response was put in place to support those affected by Sunday night’s tragic events in Cookstown.

This includes a programme of advice and support to optimise recovery for all those involved.

Dr Corr (right) said it is vitally important that support is provided at the right time and in an appropriate way.

She said: “There are a broad range of people who have been impacted — the young people who were there on the night; their families who may feel powerless to help; the early responders such as emergency services and hotel staff, and the broader community since there will be very few who won’t know someone affected by what happened.”

Health trusts have been providing senior professional support, including clinical psychologists and experienced crisis response workers, at the PSNI’s dedicated major incident centre at Burnavon in Cookstown where witness statements are being taken.

Dr Corr also added that it will take time for mental health symptoms

to abate after witnessing “a very traumatic incident”.

She added: “The reactions of those impacted may well include high levels of distress, such as difficulty sleeping or intrusive memories of what they saw.

“They will feel anxious, down and irritable and could potentially start to opt out.

“These are normal reactions that occur in response to an abnormal and tragic event.

“People may experience these reactions for several days or weeks but they will start to reduce as time moves on.

“However there may be some people who continue to experience difficulties into the longer term and at that point there is evidence for highly effective psychological interventions for those who have experienced trauma,” she added.

“We would urge young people to talk to their parents, teachers and friends but we also need to

recognise that different individuals cope in different ways.

“We certainly don’t want people to bottle up their feelings.

“However there may be times when they feel more or less able to talk.

“It must have been a very traumatic experience for those young people who were there, particularly those potentially being crushed themselves or who may have fell or tried to lift others out of it. It was a very challenging set of circumstances.”

For help and advice about mental health and information on how to access services, visit www.mindingyourhead.info.

Those in distress or despair can call Lifeline, the 24/7 helpline on 0808 808 8000 and talk to an experienced counsellor in confidence.