A Qualitative Mixed-Method Narrative Study on Psychotherapeutic Support Needs Based on a Series of 11 Cases of Survivors of the 2023 Odisha Train Accident.

BACKGROUND

Rail and road accidents are common in India and are extremely stressful life events. Many accident survivors develop stress-related mental health problems but do not get psychotherapeutic support. We intended to analyse the needs and types of techniques for the psychotherapeutic support of the survivors of the 2023 train accident in Odisha and to reflect on how the services can be facilitated.

METHODS

It was a qualitative, mixed-method, narrative study based on the interview of a sample of 11 survivors of the train accident.

RESULTS

It was observed that the survivors and their families had many unresolved psychological issues related to the trauma of the train accident and its consequences. The survivors articulated their mental health concerns holistically in a comprehensive way. It appeared that their psychotherapeutic needs were unmet. Examples of psychological interventions needed were psychoeducation, relaxation, supportive and cognitive therapies, and specific trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy. Many challenges in providing psychotherapies were identified, such as limited awareness about the need for psychotherapeutic intervention, affected persons in geographically highly dispersed areas, unavailability of psychotherapeutic services or personnel in most places, and lack of resources.

CONCLUSION

The train accident survivors have immense psychotherapeutic needs, but these are mostly unmet. Modifying the provision methods to tele-psychotherapy and training other healthcare personnel such as nurses, and counsellors might help the resource-scarce situation.