ESTSS Workshop Media and Trauma

ces.uc.pt/centrodetrauma

- 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY (EJPT)

- 10 YEARS OF CENTRO DE TRAUMA/CES-UC 

- BOARD MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF TRAUMATIC STRESS STUDIES (ESTSS)

The summer of 2017 will forever remain in the

memory of the Portuguese population. Within four

months, two large forest fires lead to the death of 116

people and hundreds of injuried. However, even

though the traumatic events have left a visible mark

on the victims, survivors and professionals working

in these scenarios, the intense media coverage of

the fires had (and continues to have) a determinant

role in the mental health of those involved, and in

the community in general.

Our research pointed out that the media coverage

has reported beyond the facts, exposing the

affected population in a state of vulnerability.

There seems to be a direct influence of the media

coverage in the stress reactions at three levels: (1)

the revival of trauma in the victims and,

subsequently, the greater difficulty of overcoming it;

(2) the development of a traumatic

symptomatology in the general population; and (3)

the traumatization of journalists themselves. The

journalists must take special care regarding the way

they share information, respecting the ethical and

deontological conduct of their profession, but also as

citiziens who are concerned about the consequences,

in a mental health level, on those who are exposed

to their work. Despite the need to ensure the

dissemination of information, a sensitive and

effective coverage may prevent the rekindle of

traumatic memories, protecting the victims from a

risk of (re)traumatization.

That’s why we want to dedicate our celebration of

the 10th anniversary both of our Centro de

Trauma and EJPT to discuss the relation between

Media and Trauma – and we urge all of ESTSS

members to join us in this reflection.

Next year in Coimbra?