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1st appeared
24 November
1999 Post Traumatic Stress Team Aids Taiwan Earthquake Victims When Taiwan was hit two month ago by a devastating earthquake, its people suffered more than the physical effects of a natural disaster. Among the people lucky to survive, many will suffer psychological stress reactions, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Three PTSD experts from the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) and UCSF traveled to Taiwan, Oct. 24 to 31, to consult with local health care professionals, school teachers, religious relief organizations and administrators and help the people of Taiwan cope with the disaster. Frank Schoenfeld, MD, UCSF professor of psychiatry and director of the PTSD program at SFVAMC, led the team, which included SFVAMC/UCSF psychologist Victoria Tichenor and social worker Keith Armstrong. The SFVAMC team, which toured the epicenter of the devastation with the director of public health for the region, met with students and faculty in the areas hardest hit by the earthquake. They visited a psychiatric hospital to consult with physicians, nurses, and social workers, and they spoke to the earthquake rescue workers and volunteers of Tzu-Che, a Buddhist organization involved in relief efforts. They also met with families of earthquake victims and invited them to talk about their feelings and reactions during and after the quake. The people of Taiwan, said Schoenfeld, were very interested in the information the VA team had to offer, and all three of the American PTSD experts were interviewed by various media to share their observations in Taiwan. "VA’s PTSD program was established to treat the psychological problems exhibited by combat veterans and veterans who were the victims of sexual abuse or harassment when in the military," said Schoenfield. The Taiwan PTSD team will draw from its experience to assist those in traumatic non-military situations. Previous PTSD program efforts of this kind include the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, and the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Schoefeld’s team was sponsored to go to Taiwan by the Yih-Con Satellite TV Company (Chinese language station) and the Woman’s Equal Opportunity Legalization Association. Several individuals in Taiwan also assisted with the team's transportation and lodging. The SFVAMC team plans to provide ongoing support to the Taiwan relief via the Internet and by conducting a follow-up visit within the next six months. Links: San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center Source: Gene Gibson, SFVAMC Public Affairs
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