Miners: Long road ahead, trauma experts warn
Sydney Morning Herald
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Although in excellent spirits and good physical condition, Todd Russell and Brant Webb have a long psychological recovery ahead of them, health professionals have warned.
That important recovery began yesterday with the difficult step of attending the funeral of their colleague Larry Knight, who died in the mine collapse.
Dr Stephen Ayre, chief executive of Launceston General Hospital, said the two men were in excellent spirits and a "very positive" physical condition.
A psychologist, Bev Ernst, said attending the funeral of Mr Knight was "absolutely vital" to their recovery.
Ms Ernst said the men and their families needed plenty of support in the coming weeks. "It's really important now for them … to have a couple of days without the media, without everyone, even friends."
Doctors will monitor Mr Russell and Mr Webb's psychological condition over the next few days.
Last week a spokesman for the Australian Psychological Society, Bob Montgomery, warned the men's high spirits were part of a survival state in which emotions were frozen.
He said the men may now experience feelings of shock, depression, anger, mood swings and possibly survivor guilt, along with nightmares and intrusive memories. Counselling would be important to let them know what they were in for, in terms of their emotions, Dr Montgomery said.
May 10, 2006
Sydney Morning Herald
________________
Although in excellent spirits and good physical condition, Todd Russell and Brant Webb have a long psychological recovery ahead of them, health professionals have warned.
That important recovery began yesterday with the difficult step of attending the funeral of their colleague Larry Knight, who died in the mine collapse.
Dr Stephen Ayre, chief executive of Launceston General Hospital, said the two men were in excellent spirits and a "very positive" physical condition.
A psychologist, Bev Ernst, said attending the funeral of Mr Knight was "absolutely vital" to their recovery.
Ms Ernst said the men and their families needed plenty of support in the coming weeks. "It's really important now for them … to have a couple of days without the media, without everyone, even friends."
Doctors will monitor Mr Russell and Mr Webb's psychological condition over the next few days.
Last week a spokesman for the Australian Psychological Society, Bob Montgomery, warned the men's high spirits were part of a survival state in which emotions were frozen.
He said the men may now experience feelings of shock, depression, anger, mood swings and possibly survivor guilt, along with nightmares and intrusive memories. Counselling would be important to let them know what they were in for, in terms of their emotions, Dr Montgomery said.
May 10, 2006
