Flowers are laid on the site of a deadly stampede in Seoul’s Itaewon district on Nov. 16, 2022. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Experts have called for the introduction of a special mental healthcare system for the survivors of the deadly Halloween crowd crush in Seoul’s Itaewon district, who have been exposed to high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Korean Association of Psychiatric Practitioners said that PTSD can occur when a person experiences or witnesses someone’s death or risk of death, severe injury, or other events that pose a significant risk to mental or physical well-being.
PTSD patients feel as if the traumatic event is still ongoing, even if it has ended.
Initial symptoms include flashbacks, panic attacks, and nightmares that bring about the experience of the traumatic event. A secondary event may exacerbate the symptoms.
“PTSD may get worse if patients are exposed to criticism while they still suffer from depression caused by the regret of ‘being there when it happened,” the association said.
“Suggestive reports by the press, or forcing unnecessary testimonies during investigations may amount to secondary offenses.”
PTSD can occur a couple of months or even more than a year after the traumatic event, requiring extensive support and aid for those exposed to a high risk of PTSD.
“The survivors of the Itaewon crowd crush have experienced the traumatic event themselves,” said Kim Dong-wook, president of the Korean Association of Psychiatric Practitioners.
“Some even witnessed the death of loved ones, which may expose them not only to the risk of PTSD but also to suicide.”
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
