Talk About Trauma! An army of therapists descends on Iraq

Opinion Journal.com ^ | 5/2/2003 | Sally Satel

[Utah Girl]

The World Health Organization and other relief agencies worry that "half a million" Iraqi children are now mentally scarred for life--damaged by the war in a way that calls for professional intervention. It is hard to predict exactly how many psychological casualties the recent war has caused, but one thing is fairly certain. We can expect to see a second army enter Iraq: the trauma therapists.

[Utah Girl]

Excellent commentary. The therapists are going to Iraq, the UN is sending "reproductive services" to Iraq. How about getting food, water, and other things to the Iraqis?

[WellsFargo94]

Good call on the water and foodstuffs. I just skimmed the article, but was their any reference made to these people needing therapy because brother Joey Abdul lost an ear, and Dad was sent through the wood chipper, Sis Abdul was raped by Qusay and his guards, mom died of a treatable disease but Saddam felt it more important to build a palace and not furnish it...ever.

[xm177e2]

I don't think many Iraqis will need therapy because of the war. But I think a huge number of children and young adults could benefit from therapy after living under Saddam for their entire lives.

[scab4faa]

I'm sure they were never suffered any trauma under the Saddam regime /sarcasm

[xm177e2]

Of course. Satel was setting up a straw man to knock down (which, admittedly, is not hard because the UN played right into her hands by describing the therapy as being for the war and not what came before it). Satel and the UN both have their own agendas (the UN hates America and it sounds like Satel has something against psychologists). Whatever.

[Bonaparte]

If the people of Iraq can survive these UN "therapists," they can withstand anything.

[microgood]

The common expectation is that "almost everyone will consider himself 'traumatized'"--and thus in need of intervention.

The Iraqi people have truly been traumatized. These people are used to dealing with people who think they are traumatized. The WHO wants to make the case they are needed. They have no idea what these people have been through. Excellent post.

[Utah Girl]

Note that I didn't say the therapists wouldn't be needed. But first of all the basics of life must be satisfied, like food, clean water, safe places to live. In Kosovo, the UN in all its wisdom sent in reproductive services BEFORE anything else. And they're doing the same in Iraq. I really hit a sore point with you two.

[Utah Girl]

Exactly right. I will never forget when the UN sent in "reproductive counselors" to help the female refugees from Kosovo. This before clean water was available.

[GSWarrior]

Grief counselors. What would the world do without them?

[microgood]

I did not know that. I sponsored a child through Children International (a girl from Guatemala) for years. After several years, they said they had to switch children with me because her father had refused to let them help her daughter any more. I knew why and disconnected from them.

[scab4faa]

LoL, No you didn't. I was just commenting on the fact that WE traumatized this children while no one in this article brings up the fact that thousands of children where tortured, raped and jailed because of the saddam regime. I just get so tired of hearing everything in this world is the U.S.'s fault. I agree with you totally we need to get food, water and aid into that country and get it back on it's feet soon!

[scab4faa]

*These children (must be getting late!)

[Utah Girl]

Got it. :) It is getting late. My heart just broke when the Marines found that jail where children were being imprisoned because they wouldn't join Hussein's children's club/army/whatever it was.