Apam drowning: Psychologists to offer support to survivors, families of deceased kids

A team of 30 psychologists from the Ghana Psychological Association and Mental Health Authority, together with the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection have arrived in Apam to provide counselling services to families and survivors of the tragic incident where at least 13 teenagers lost their lives at sea.

The team will undertake a one-week session with the families to help them deal with issues of anxiety, depression and fear.

Speaking to OTECNews, the President of the Ghana Psychological Association, Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang, said they are optimistic of positive outcomes from their efforts.

He stressed that there was definitely a need for psychological support.

“Some of these life-changing events such as this accident that have taken lives definitely affects the thought process of people. People will be worried. They will not be able to sleep.”

“Some of the survivors especially may be seeing images and pictures. They will not be able to eat. Parents are worried. They cannot sleep, they cannot do all these things.”

He added that “our goal is to ensure that people don’t die as a result of these challenges they face.”

“People don’t feel hopeless and helpless when indeed, professionally, we have our skilful ways of building their resilience to deal with the challenges and distresses that follow such sad events.”

Indications are that over 20 teens may have drowned in the incident on March 7.

But 13 bodies were recovered and buried.

The deceased were aged between 13 and 18 years.

Police said while the teens were swimming, a heavy tidal wave overwhelmed them leading to the tragedy.

Source: Citi