Family Support is Important to Recover the Trauma of Accident Victims

Illustration of family support to support post-accident trauma recovery. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Recovery from trauma due to accidents not only depends on individual conditions, but is also greatly influenced by the immediate environment, especially the family.

Proper emotional support can help victims feel safer, reduce anxiety, and slowly rebuild confidence to carry out daily activities.

Professor of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia, Rose Mini Agoes Salim, emphasized that the role of the family is very crucial in the process of psychological recovery, especially for train accident victims who have experienced trauma for a long time.

According to him, families need to create a comfortable atmosphere and not judge so that victims can go through the recovery process gradually. Pressuring attitudes, such as urging victims to recover immediately or comparing them with others, can actually worsen the condition.

"The traumatic experience is experienced directly by the victim, not by those around him. Therefore, it is important to give time for the victim to recover," he said.

He explained that the victim needed to be given space to calm down, as well as the opportunity to share stories when they were ready. However, families were urged not to force the victim to repeat the details of the incident, because it could trigger discomfort or anxiety.

In addition, it is important for families to understand the limits of providing support, including when to accompany and when to give victims space for themselves. This balance helps victims feel supported without feeling pressured.

Romi emphasized that trauma recovery requires time, consistency, and a supportive environment so that victims can return to normal activities.

"If the traumatic condition lasts more than two to four weeks, the victim should get professional help," he concluded.