[Let's Overcome Together] To Overcome Trauma... "Ensure Safety, Prevent Secondary Damage, Provide Psychological Stability"

Half of Sewol Ferry Disaster Bereaved Families Are at Risk of Depression
Direct Victims Feel Resentment, Anger, and Guilt
Overcoming Trauma Is a Social Responsibility Beyond the Individual
Close Friends Play a Crucial Role in the Healing Process

On the 2nd, during the national mourning period following the large-scale crush disaster in Itaewon, visitors continue to come to the memorial space set up near Itaewon Station in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Editor's NoteIn the face of a national disaster with a large number of casualties, many people?including the bereaved families, the injured, rescue personnel, eyewitnesses at the scene, and citizens who witnessed the situation through photos or videos?are struggling to recover from the shock. Since this was a major tragedy that occurred in an extremely ordinary space, it is expected that it will take some time before everyone can find peace of mind, free from anxiety, fear, and guilt. Asia Economy will take an in-depth look over three installments at how our society should embrace this pain and overcome it together.

The people who suffer the greatest psychological shock from a large-scale disaster with numerous casualties are the survivors who were at the accident site and the families of the victims. The severity of the psychological trauma experienced by those directly involved in such disasters became widely recognized after the 2014 Sewol Ferry disaster. According to the '4.16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Victims' Health and Living Conditions Survey' conducted last year by the Ansan Onmaeum Center, seven years after the disaster, 48.4% of bereaved families were classified as high-risk for depression. Although this is a decrease compared to the 2017 survey (57.7%), their trauma remains ongoing.

Typical negative emotions experienced by direct victims such as bereaved families and survivors include resentment, anger, and guilt. If a family member was ill or elderly, there might have been some time to prepare emotionally, but sudden tragic news caused by an accident inflicts extreme psychological pain. The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, a representative measure of stress, assigns the highest score of 100 points to the death of a loved one such as a spouse or child. Professor Suhyun Park of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Bundang CHA Hospital said, “Many people blame themselves, thinking ‘If I hadn’t stopped them’ or ‘If I had done something, it could have been prevented.’ Such self-blame can lead to severe depression and even extreme choices.”

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms commonly experienced by direct victims include being easily startled after experiencing an event or accident, re-experiencing the moment through nightmares, becoming angry over minor issues, and avoiding situations related to the trauma. Other symptoms include decreased concentration and sleep disturbances. Professor Yongwook Shin of the Department of Psychiatry at Seoul Asan Medical Center explained, “If these symptoms persist for more than a month, the likelihood of PTSD is high,” adding, “Symptoms are often misunderstood as a matter of willpower, delaying treatment, and lack of empathy from those around can worsen the condition.”

Experts emphasize that healing this trauma requires a ‘three-pronged’ approach involving not only individual efforts but also societal ones: ensuring safety, preventing secondary damage, and providing psychological support. Among these, ensuring safety is entirely the responsibility of society. Efforts at the national and social levels to establish systems that prevent recurrence of the same accident can provide comfort and reassurance to direct victims. Additionally, mental health services such as psychological counseling and hospital treatment should be provided to at-risk groups while preventing further psychological shocks. Professor Uijin Shin of the Department of Child Psychiatry at Severance Hospital advised, “If safety assurance and prevention of secondary damage are properly implemented, the spread of trauma can be prevented,” adding, “On a personal level, it helps healing if the individual is not isolated and can channel positive energy through help or volunteering to solve problems.”

Support from those around is essential in this recovery process. Professor Park said, “It is necessary for family or close friends to support victims so they do not blame themselves for the sudden accident and death,” and added, “Early treatment is important, but bereaved families often feel so guilty that they say, ‘I don’t deserve treatment.’ In such cases, it is helpful if people around them connect them to hospitals.” Professor Shin also emphasized, “Just as physical wounds need time to heal, so do emotional wounds,” and said, “When treating patients, family or acquaintances should help by listening carefully to their difficulties and being there when needed, which is a great help.”