Psychologists from the British Psychological Society are highlighting increased concern for the emotional well-being of surviving residents and other people living in buildings with dangerous cladding.
Protests outside parliament yesterday place further pressure on the government to fund replacement cladding which will negate the attached fire risks that still remain on many buildings.
Many people and families will be suffering from a posttraumatic stress disorder and disturbed sleep living under these frightening conditions.
Honorary treasurer and chartered member of the BPS Special Group for Psychology and Social Care Harry Davies, who is also a clinical psychologist, said: “Residents living under these conditions will need psychological support led by trained psychologists, as well as ongoing work from within peer support groups.
“Many people will require individual support. Assurances are needed that future accommodation is totally safe and that emergency escape routes and safety advice is made accessible to all people.”
The BPS Special Group for Psychology and Social Care is highlighting the need to also support the psychological welfare of people that may not have been in the Grenfell flats but who are still living in buildings with dangerous cladding.
Davies says that surviving residents may be suffering from feelings of powerlessness and fear and that they are not in control of their destinies.
Survivors of Grenfell and people living in buildings surrounded by unsafe cladding will need a lot of reassurance that their lives are in safe hands.
