1/9
Issues faced by Survivors of Terrorism in Pakistan
Numbers game
Will of God
Culture of silence
Survivors guilt
Loss of faith
Shahadat
Understanding PTSD Counselling
PTSD Recovery & Growth
Crying is ok
Taking a break is ok
Having a bad day is ok
We are going to be ok
2/
Numbers game
Pakistan has about 625,000 survivors in a population of 223 million or .013%
Majority victims/survivors are of lower to lower middle segments
Chances of knowing a survivor are pretty less for most, esp for those with a voice
So ignorance prevails
3/
Will of God
Everything happens by the Will of God, even terrorism!
How do you question God?
Even the question, How can killing innocents be His will? Is covered by the green, or a fear of being shunned for questioning the will
4/
Culture of silence:
Questioning is taboo, how & who will tell me ‘Why Me?’
Even grief is a silent visitor to be greeted gallantly!
Suffocating on ones own bile & tears for a fate bludgeoned on us!
5/
Survivors guilt:
If this had happened then he/she would not have been there & been saved!
Am I wrong to survive when others did not (self-guilt).
6/
Loss of faith:
Traumatic responses differ by individuals & are influenced by age, gender, political, religious or cultural affiliations
Terrorism can shatter core beliefs, including belief in the world as a just place ('existential dilemma'), become PTSD or collective trauma
6/
The lives of survivors often change permanently when faced with the unexpected loss of loved ones. it's not surprising that this also tests people's beliefs & faith!
Although religion may help cope with unexpected loss & adjust to or recover from trauma, the ‘why me’ staying
7/
Shahadat (martyrdom)
The belief that victims are shaheed, denial means questioning the will of God!
The VE‘ist claim bomber is shaheed, I have to accept the verdict that Gul is shaheed!
There cannot be a middle ground in matters of faith & belief except silence or sin
8/
Poor understanding of trauma & PTSD at individually & societal level
Negative concept of counselling in local cultures & giving time for recovery/growth from trauma are issues totally ignored at all levels which create a feeling of loneliness, deep grief, pangs of sadness and
8a/
..... despondency, a pain that refuses to go away
The death of a loved brings deep sadness. The intense grief of early mourning lessens as time passes, alternating between sorrow & ability to rediscover life
This takes time, often years, which family & society don’t give!
9/
Finally remember:
Crying is ok
Taking a break is ok
Having a bad day is ok
Take time to grieve, it’s your loss, the one who understands your feeling may not express it
Time glosses over hurt with new hurts, learn to accept loss & survive!
We are going to be ok
One day!
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