As thousands of traumatised Haitians remain without food and shelter following Tuesday's earthquake, mental health experts say the psychological effects of the disaster could take months to fully emerge.
The people of Haiti – already worn down by conflict, cyclone, hunger and floods – are vulnerable to an outbreak of mental-health disorders that the country's dilapidated health system could not begin to cope with. Aid agencies are working to minimise some of the risks that lead to suffer post-traumatic shock syndrome (PTSD), having learned lessons during previous disasters such as the 2004 Asian tsunami and the Chinese earthquake of 2008.
"To prevent lasting mental injury people need shelter, warmth, a meaning to life, things to do – and as fast as possible," said Mark Brayne, a psycho-therapist specialising in individual and collective trauma.
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