KNYSNA NEWS - In what emotional space do fire victims find themselves one year later and what help is available?

"I can say that people often come into counselling with varying degrees of post-traumatic responses which might include anxiety, tiredness, hopelessness, grief and anger; and they are looking for relevant tools for relief and support," says a psychologist from a large practice.

According to the opinion of several psychologists and counsellors dealing with trauma, the experience whether someone lost a house or was a survivor, are unique to each and every person – which makes it impossible to generalise.

"To be respectful and truthful the responses are unique to each person. I can't speak for our clients, given our ethics and the fact that this might discourage people from using the services. I do encourage them to speak for themselves. I think it would offend some people in those categories if they are all described as having similar or the same responses as people are in a process of making sense of their experiences, and this is a fluid process. It changes as they go through it," says a counsellor.

Those who are still battling should contact the following organisations that have been offering free trauma counselling to people in Greater Knysna, feeling affected by trauma responses since the June fires:

• Famsa 044 382 5129

• LifeLine 044 343 2769

• Badisa 044 382 2271

• Child Welfare 044 382 1177/8

• Department of social development 044 382 0109/0056

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