A team of crisis workers and local volunteers will be on hand to provide counseling for residents of Toholampi following Saturday’s car accident, which robbed the community of four young men aged 14, 15, 18 and 21.
According medical chief of staff Seppo Tastula of the service organisation JYTA, grief counseling efforts will initially target the deceased youths’ next of kin with group counseling.
“We will try to determine the breadth and scope of crisis operations. Based on this we will assemble the required personnel,” Tastula added.
Tastula pointed out that much work has been done to help residents cope with the initial shock and early stages of grief. He said that members of the Toholampi church, the Finnish Red Cross and volunteers were active during this phase. Following this, crisis work will begin about one to three days after the initial shock. JYTA has prepared to tackle this stage from Monday, in spite of the fact that many crisis workers from Toholampi and nearby Kannus are on summer vacation.
“It’s somewhat difficult to reach everyone who’s on vacation, but I believe that we will be able to assemble the team required for the job. However vacation is a secondary matter in the face of such a crisis,” Tastula added.
JYTA is now reaching out to the family and friends of the deceased youths to organise counseling sessions. Crisis counseling will first be offered primarily to family members, but also to others in need.
“”We can’t force people to accept crisis counseling, but provide it as needed,” the medical chief commented.
Group counseling will last a few days, after which assistance can be provided on an as needed and individual basis.
Municipality calls for flags at half-mast
Toholampi officials are recommending that flags be flown at half-mast Tuesday as a mark of respect for the departed community members and their families.
According to city mayor Jari Kangasvieri the accident that claimed the four young lives has been a massive shock to the community.
“Life must go on. All we can do is move forward one step at a time,” he said, adding that flying flags at half-mast is one way to process grief.
