THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS

This paper discusses psychosocial impacts of the Times Beach disasters from author's own experience as a pastor who was called to the area after disasters took place. The danger most involved in this situation is that of characterization, of viewing the victims as either good guys, super resilient heros, or viewing them as bad guys who are getting part of what they brought on themselves. The psychosocial impact is the same as that in any other community: strained family relationships, financial problems, chemical problems, stress-related sickness, spiritual problems, career and job problems. One does not know when the impact of what happened is really going to hit. There is a crying need for a humanitarian approach, a concerned presence as opposed to studying them, publicizing them, converting them, organizing them, administering them, convincing them or diagnosing them. The most urgent need is for people to walk alongside the victims as they try to deal with uncertainty.