SciTech 29
epigram 27.02.2023
The quake after the quake: post-earthquake mental health The emotional aftershocks of the Turkey and Syria earthquake Dhristi Agarwal
SciTech Deputy Editor
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arthquakes can have a significant impact on mental health, with many people experiencing psychological distress and other disorders. This article discusses the real emotional after-shocks felt in Turkey and Syria. Earthquakes are among the most devastating natural disasters, causing everything to change in an instant. On 4 February 2022, a 7.8 magnitude Kahramanmaras earthquake devastated Southern Turkey and Syria, with the recorded death toll approaching 47,000, making it the fifth deadliest earthquake of the twenty-first century. Coupled with physical destruction to buildings and infrastructure, collapsed world heritage sites, and broken homes, individuals, families, and communities have suffered considerable emotional and psychological distress.The far-reaching effects of such a catastrophic event can reverberate for years or even decades, and can be catastrophic to individuals who experience them. A seismic event of significant
magnitude has the potential to seresearch conducted by the Universiverely impact society as a whole. ty of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Communities affected by large earthhas shown that early treatment of quakes are frequently left reeling and PTSD can have reversible effects defenceless, and the aftermath can and be corrected if survivors receive result in a variety of negative emoappropriate outreach healthcare. tions such as anxiety, despair, and Children, being one of the most post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). vulnerable demographic groups, PTSD is caused by are at heightened risk extremely stressof suffering from the Communities affected devastating effects of ful, frightening, or disturbing situa- by large earthquakes are the recent catastrophic tions, and persons frequently left reeling and earthquake. Save the suffering from Children has reportdefenceless it can relive the ed that over 7 million traumatic event children have been through nightmares and flashbacks, affected by the calamity, with many as well as have difficulty sleeping exhibiting signs of acute distress, and concentrating. Fear, which is an including nightmares, aggression, essential aspect of human experience and serves to alert us to potential threats, can provoke heightened arousal or activate the "fight or flight" response, and it is considered a central feature in the diagnosis of PTSD. Some individuals have endured prolonged periods of time trapped beneath rubble in the cold and dark, only to discover that their loved ones have perished or are unaccounted for, while the once bustling neighborhoods they called home are now reduced to piles of shattered concrete. Health experts in Turkey report an increase in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors. However, Shefali Lincoln/Unsplash
and withdrawal in Turkey. They are directly correlated to a higher likeligrappling with a myriad of emotions, hood of developing mental illness. including feelings of loss and disTherefore, it is imperative to priorlocation from their homes, schools, itise mental health in the aftermath and communities. In addition, the of catastrophic earthquakes. SeekUnited Nations has raised concerns ing professional help, participating about the sub-zero weather condi- in stress-reducing activities like extions, which have put the children ercise or meditation, and practising at risk of hypothermia, further com- self-care are all viable options. Parpounded by insufficient shelters ticularly, children may benefit from and water infrastructure, thereby additional support and reassurance exposing them to waterborne dis- from trusted adults in their lives, such eases like cholera and Hepatitis A. as parents, teachers, or therapists. Research indicates that survivors of At the University of Bristol, natural disasters like the magnitude students with relatives in earth7.8 earthquake are at a heightened quake-stricken regions where devrisk of acute trauma and chronic dis- astation and trauma have occurred eases such as anxiety and depression. have united the Bristol community to Ben Beaglehole, a senior lecturer in raise funds in support. This collaborathe department of psychological tive effort includes bake sales, charity medicine at the University of Otago boxes collecting aid and food, and in Christchurch, New donating warm Zealand, conducted a essentials to the Students have united in the Red Cross charity. study on the mental health consequenc- Bristol community to raise The cohesive funds and support es of New Zealand's effort of the stu2010-2011 Canterbury dent diaspora earthquakes. His reto uplift these search found an increase in the oc- nations and contribute to rebuildcurrence of anxiety disorders, PTSD, ing these communities as an active and nicotine dependence one year student body has been made posafter the quakes. This increase was sible by the increasingly digitised found to be more prevalent among technology and globalised world, those who had experienced greater which allows us to keep track of exposure to the events, indicating and connect with the wider world that proximity to the most severe while providing aid to those in need. consequences of the quakes was
Discover the Bristol Green Initiative An opportunity for students in sustainability and innovation Charlie Davey
Fourth year, Anthropology with Innovation
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he Bristol Green Initiative (BGI) is a climate action opportunity presented to students and facilitated by experts. It takes place from the 23rd – 25th of February in the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CFIE), same floor as the Student Union (SU) in the Richmond Building. Innovation and sustainability academics and professionals will guide students through sustainability briefs created by the Cabot
other countries have sent their relief Institute that are grounded in their teams – as a token of human spirit latest, world-leading research. and togetherness in tough times. Why does the BGI exist? The BGI brings some of the world’s Humanity has adapted quickly smartest students enough before, but We need a larger scale of and academics at we need a larger scale of collabocollaboration than we've the University of Bristol together rative action than ever seen before to work to solve we’ve ever seen beglobal sustainability problems. fore to successfully navigate the cliAnyone suffering from climate mate crisis and it is entirely possible. anxiety or wanting to get involved COVID-19 demonstrated the ability in the sustainability space should for countries to collaborate on a globsee this as a great opportunity al stage. Furthermore, the disaster to learn, create connections with relief response for the Turkey earthlike-minded students, professionals quakes evidenced this. Japan and
and academics, whilst collaboratively producing work that directly aims to resolve global problems. Excitingly, the next iteration of the BGI will be the GGI, a Global Green Initiative featuring a one-day climate action sprint with students from universities across the globe including the US, UK, Uganda and Botswana. The BGI have created a threeday design sprint guided by innovation and sustainability academics and professionals. On Thursday, students are introduced to innovation and value creation frameworks and meth-
ods - learning that is applicable to many facets of their lives. Students will pick one of 5 briefs to work on. 1. Sourcing energy 2. Food waste 3. Community building, intergenerational and interethnic 4. Green cities/future cities 5. Using energy On Friday, students are able to consult experts and academics. On Saturday, the student teams converge on their favourite ideas and go through a pitch workshop before pitching towards Runway for a space on their student start-up accelerator. Last term the first edition of the BGI produced a team of students working to combat food waste and loneliness. Next time there will be a global design sprint between universities from across the world.