By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 6th September 2018)-Yesterday saw the end of a two-day Psychological Support workshop hosted by the St. Kitts- Nevis Red Cross ( 4th to 5th September).

The workshop formed part of the organisation’s decree to partner with other groups so as to provide psycho-social support to persons in need following natural disasters.

Disaster Coordinator for the St. Kitts-Nevis Red Cross Patricia Peets said that the workshop was important because after a disaster there are persons who are in great distress and sometimes they are broken.

“And we are here to help those who are broken and those who ae in need of psycho social support,” she added.

Psychologist at JNF General Hospital and facilitator at the psychosocial workshop, Dr.

Cherrylyn Ward Crawford, said that the purpose of the workshop was to equip the attendees with basic skills so that they can offer support to persons in society who are in need of it.

“So this workshop was not just for persons who are therapist or counsellors… the workshop is for persons who just want to offer support to different individuals who may need it,” Dr. Ward Crawford added.

Psychosocial support trainer at the St. Kitts-Nevis Red Cross, Kerdis Clarke, was on hand during the two day workshop to train the attendees.

Some of the topics covered were loss and grief, children, stress and coping and training on how to develop psychosocial skills.

“It is very essential that they develop these skills so that as they execute their task that they execute it well,” she said.

Clarke described the workshop as fun filled noting that the participants are now confident in delivering such skills acquired during the workshop.

Attendees included Red Cross volunteers, representatives from NEMA, the Mental Health and Counselling Center, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Police as well as Fire and Rescue Services.