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UEL Clinical Psychologist helps British victims of the Mumbai attacks

Monday 22 December 2008

The University of East London’s (UEL) Clinical Director of the Clinical Psychology Programme, Neil Rees, has recently arrived back in London from Mumbai as part of the British Red Cross and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s team, sent to help British people caught up in the Mumbai terror attacks.

Neil is based at UEL’s Stratford Campus and is part of the British Red Cross’ psychosocial support team, a voluntary team of Red Cross employees and volunteers who include professional Psychologists and Psychotherapists who offer practical and emotional support to people affected by crisis situations.

Neil said: “I was on call in November and when I was told about the situation in India, I felt ready to use my skills where they were needed most.

“I was there for a week along with another Red Cross colleague as part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office rapid deployment team. We supported the injured parties and their relatives and also offered support to those who escaped or were released from the affected hotels.

“I’ve always appreciated people’s resilience and after the unfolding events in Mumbai subsided, I really valued working with the local consular staff and I was also impressed by the stories I heard of local hotel staff. They helped save hundreds of lives and their brave efforts make me want to go back to India, hopefully for more positive reasons, this time.”

Neil also helped people by reinforcing to them that they were safe, contacting loved ones and signposting them towards further help if they needed it. He also prepared people for future reactions they could experience.

As the clinical director of the clinical psychology doctoral programme, based at UEL’s school of psychology, Neil has previously worked in trauma and bereavement roles and dealt with paediatric palliative care with children. He has also supported children with mental health problems at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Neil has worked with Sarah Davidson, UEL’s Clinical Psychology programme’s Deputy Clinical Director, for six years. Sarah is the psychosocial advisor to the British Red Cross and was awarded an MBE for her services this year. She said: “These incidents normally happen very quickly and we have to deal with a really broad of range of tasks at once.

“People often need to talk about their experiences, they need someone who can hear about their pain and distress. It’s important that we help normalise their reactions as much as we can and direct them to further support.”

Ends

UEL press office contact Hana Esselink, Press Officer, University of East London, 020 8223 2194 /07595 056 245

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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