An Air India flight to London crashed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Air India released as 171, released May 1, but lost contact with air traffic control within a few minutes in the flight.

The aircraft went down near the Meghnagar area, causing heavy fire. All flight operations at the airport have been suspended.

As the emergency crew arrived at the site and waiting for the news to the families, mental health experts are often drawing attention to such tragedies of such tragedies – affected and mental health effects on families of affected and first respondents.

Psychological trauma with such disasters can be deep and long lasting.

This scale may, even in touch with an event, can even trigger post-tractic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and prolonged grief.

The families of those people on the board are not only left unhappy, but are also struggling with uncertainty, especially when they are waiting for news or loved ones.

A psychiatrist of Mumbai, Dr. Harish Shetty said, “Such tragedies have brought people into a state of emotional shock. This is the immediate effect of a disaster – families are shocked, shocked and numb.”

Dr. Shetty highlighted the importance of mental health workers.

He said, “Mental health should be part of the first aid team for not giving lectures to professionals, but simply to listen. Families require a place to comfort, accurate information, food, water, and live together and process their grief,” he said.

The expert said that psychological support should be beyond the site of the accident. For relatives located in other parts of the country, the state must ensure that consultants are sent to their homes.

He said, “It is not initially about consultation in the clinical sense, it is about ‘first-aid listening’. It is more important than advising to be present.”

Dr. Shetty underlined several major functions, which the authorities should take after an aerial disaster:

• Families should be provided accurate, regular updates to prevent the crisis caused by misunderstandings.
• The government should actively counter rumors by issuing press releases on time.
• If and when the bodies are recovered, dignified cremation arrangements should be made to allow to close.
• The dedicated helpline made by trained and sensitive personnel should be available at all times – and should not remain busy or unattainable.

He also mentioned the need for continuous psychological intervention.

Dr. Shetty said, “We often forget these tragedies very soon. Financial compensation reaches families, but psychological support goes away. Recovery, especially emotional, takes time. Authorities should ensure that mental health care continues for a long time after the media is over.”

First responder: People involved in identification processes such as firefighting, ambulance staff, and DNA samples are also at risk.

Dr. Shetty said, “They should not believe that they are supernatural. They need to work in pairs, relax, and should be debated by psychologists at least every two days.”

He warned against the glorification of extreme bravery. He said, “Don’t try to be a hero. It’s okay to take a break. To move. Memories of accident site or infiltration of the victims are common. It is dangerous to ignore them,” he said.

Globally, psychological support for the first respondents is regular, one practice should be adopted by India. Dr. Shetty said, “These activists are humans, and they also need to eat, sleep and care. The trauma does not leave them just because they are doing their work.”

As the nation mourns the lost life, the immediate need for mental health preparation in view of air disasters becomes clear.

There is another long road for recovery beyond the debris – one that can only be navigated with sympathy, timely care and continuous psychological support.

Hotline number 1800 5691 444 can be dialed from Air India to get updates directly on passengers.