Family and friends of fallen soldiers ‘could benefit from counselling’

The body of one of the 45 Emirati soldiers arrives at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi on Monday after identification in Saudi Arabia. Wam

ABU DHABI // Family and friends of the soldiers who lost their lives in Yemen are being encouraged to talk about their feelings with family or professionals.

Psychologists say grief is a natural emotion after such a tragedy.

Dr Saliha Afridi, a clinical psychologist and managing director at Lighthouse Arabia clinic, said there were many misconceptions about feelings of grief.

“People feel guilty for being sad after the three days of mourning. Grief needs to be managed,” she said.

“If you don’t manage it, it won’t go away. People need to be educated that pain needs to be dealt with.

“If you lock it up, it develops and spreads like a cancer.”

Dr Afridi said anyone who knew any of the fallen servicemen could benefit from counselling, including fellow soldiers.

“This is a beautiful thing about this country, that when the coffins came home, the whole country was mourning,” she said.

Dr Afridi said injured soldiers could suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.

“We don’t have veterans’ services like there are in the United States. We want to prepare for their homecoming,” said Dr Afridi, an American.

Dr Haneen Jarrar, a psychologist at Camali Clinic in Dubai, said bereavement was the most severe kind of loss a person could face.

“Seek help if you feel you can’t control your life and if it doesn’t get better.

“The stigma is that people are afraid to be seen as those who lose control. [But] there is a lot of support for you.”

Dr Jarrar said when a loved one died, people would go through stages of grief. Initially, a person can be in shock or denial, which can turn to disbelief.

Physical symptoms such as sleeping too much or not wanting to go out may appear later. Acute grief can be accompanied by distress, sadness, anxiety, pain, guilt, remorse, regret and social withdrawal.

According to Dr Jarrar, grief is a time of transition and change, so staying physically healthy is important.

She suggested that people should do their best to understand the process of grieving. “Also, honour the loss and carry on the legacy of the person. Make time for daily activities and give yourself time to focus on the loss,” she said. Artistic activities, prayer and community work were a few methods Dr Jarrar suggested.

Dr Mohammad Ramadan, a psychologist at Dubai Police Academy, reiterated the point that counselling for friends and families was important.

He has offered to help all the families free of charge because he believes this is his duty.

“We are proud of the soldiers. Through counselling we can change the bad ideas to positive ones,” Dr Ramadan said.

Meanwhile, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, has instructed the Family Development Foundation to set up an official delegation to offer condolences to the bereaved families.