MAP prays for the repose of those who died in the tragedy in Itaewon and for the swift recovery of the injured, and, hoping that this accident will not cause greater psychological trauma for the bereaved families and those around them, shares the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association’s statement on this disaster.
Statement of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association on the Itaewon Disaster
While the whole nation grieves over the tragic disaster that occurred in Itaewon on October 29, we at the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association also cannot contain our sorrow. We pray for the repose of those who died and express our deep condolences to the bereaved families and those around them. We also wish that there be no further victims and that the injured recover fully. This accident, with its heavy loss of life, has caused the public to experience yet another great psychological trauma. To prevent additional psychological trauma from this disaster, the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association issues the following statement.
- The spreading of unfiltered video and photographs from the scene of the accident must stop.
Terrible videos and photographs from the time of the accident are being shared, in part without any filter, through social media and other channels. Such acts damage the honor of the deceased and the victims, and can lead to secondary and tertiary harm. They can also cause psychological trauma for many members of the public. All of us must exercise civic responsibility and make efforts so that there is no further spreading. We advise refraining from watching footage from the scene or news reports excessively and repeatedly, as this can harm your own health.
- Hate speech must be avoided.
In a disaster, hate speech online further aggravates the trauma of the bereaved families, who are in great pain, and of those who were at the scene, and hinders their recovery. Spreading unverified facts can also damage the honor of the deceased and the victims. Such hatred and stigma provoke social conflict and do not help at all in resolving the disaster.
- The media must observe the Disaster Reporting Guidelines.
In the process of news gathering and reporting, the media must protect individual human rights, including the honor and privacy of victims, and make efforts not to cause social confusion or anxiety. The media also need to provide correct mental health information and information on institutions where help can be obtained to members of the public who are experiencing mental health difficulties because of this accident.
- The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association will stand with those in difficulty because of this disaster in their recovery.
The psychiatrists of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association have stood with those affected in national disasters in order to fulfill the social mission of professionals. Great shock is expected among many members of the public, including the bereaved families and acquaintances of those who died in this disaster, the injured and their families, witnesses and accident response personnel, and large-scale mental health support is needed. Therefore, as in national disasters such as the Sewol ferry disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation of private experts is needed. The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association will actively stand with those in difficulty because of this disaster in their recovery.
Once again, we pray for the repose of the deceased and wish that the injured return to their daily lives in good health. We of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association will also join in establishing a national disaster mental health support system through which the public can ask for help with peace of mind.
Oh Kang-seop, Chair of the Board, Korean Neuropsychiatric Association / Baek Jong-woo, Chair, Disaster Mental Health Committee
