Psychiatric support needed for Cherry Tree Lane residents after mass shooting

By Prince Moore    

 

One consultant psychiatrist says psychiatric support is needed for residents in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon to deal with the trauma from Sunday's brutal attack which claimed the lives of eight people.

 

Dr. Earl Wright says people in the area could suffer from post traumatic stress disorder which occurs following exposure to a life threatening situation.

 

He says there could be long term effects on residents if support is not provided to allow them to feel secure 

 

"One of the things that's going to be very important is to help the individual to feel secure, because when they are back to normality in secure enviroments then it helps them to heal much better," he suggested, adding that particular attention must be paid to the elderly and children who may become withdrawn, afraid of sleeping in the dark or have an intense fear of similar events. 

 

Dr. Wright said school administrators should also prepare to assist children who may be affected by the ordeal in Cherry Tree Lane when school reopens in September. 

 

At school, he pointed out, affected students may have difficulty concentrating, not being able to sit still, some may become more aggressive, withdrawn, or want to avoid school. "The school needs to be able to understand, identify and help these children," he insisted. 

 

While women are more likely to seek out help for their trauma, Dr. Wright said special focus will also have to be placed on men who are not as open with their pain.

 

He was speaking Tuesday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines.