Changwon Coast Guard and Gyeongnam Red Cross to Collaborate on Psychological Treatment for Marine Disaster Accidents

Preventing PTSD in Accident Survivors, Witnesses, Families, and Rescuers

Changwon Maritime Police Station in Gyeongnam and the Disaster Psychological Recovery Support Center of the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Red Cross are joining forces to provide emotional support for those who have experienced maritime disaster incidents.

Changwon Maritime Police announced on the 21st that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Red Cross Disaster Psychological Recovery Support Center to establish a psychological treatment system for those who have experienced maritime disasters.

Through this agreement, the two organizations will assign professional psychological counselors to those directly affected by maritime disasters at sea, their families, witnesses, and those who participated in on-site rescue, volunteer, support, and recovery activities, to provide psychological stability and help prevent the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Gyeongnam Changwon Coast Guard and the Korean Red Cross Disaster Psychological Recovery Support Center signed a business agreement to establish a psychological treatment system for maritime disaster accident survivors.
[Photo by Changwon Coast Guard]

Changwon Maritime Police explained that if the psychological damage suffered by maritime disaster victims is not treated early, it can lead to insomnia or depression.

They emphasized that some people find it difficult to continue their daily lives due to recurring memories of the incident, and that sufficient counseling and treatment are necessary for improvement.

Chief Kim Youngcheol stated, "This is the first psychological treatment agreement introduced by the maritime police for those who have experienced maritime disasters," and added, "We will cooperate as much as possible to achieve stable results and lay a solid foundation so that the outcomes can be analyzed and utilized by other maritime police stations in the future."

He continued, "We will do our best to ensure that Changwon Maritime Police protects not only the safety but also the hearts of the people by securing the golden time for PTSD prevention."