Colombia remains in mourning. There are hundreds of news reports we can see day by day since the tragic earthquake on August 10. However each of us has experienced it, these have been difficult times. That is why, for this Wednesday, August 26, at 6:30 p.m., we have scheduled a new talk with EL TIEMPO subscribers: ‘After the earthquake: how to take care of our mental health and cope with grief,’ with the doctor, speaker, and expert author in well-being and personal growth, Santiago Rojas. If you want to participate, sign up here: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/UHBne9.
The figures estimate at least 262,154 people affected in 15 departments of the country. It left more than 300 people dead and thousands injured. Many Colombians were personally affected. They lost everything: their loved ones, their home, their neighborhood, their workplace. Others have seen and experienced the tragedy as if it were their own.
However, we have all come together in solidarity and empathy. Tons of humanitarian aid have been collected to be sent to the most affected places; hundreds of volunteers arrived at collection centers; others even went to communities to contribute their grain of sand.
But the situation triggered by this emergency may be impacting our mental health. Anxiety, sadness, fear, and other emotions may arise that need to be processed and released. That is why, in this space, Dr. Rojas — a specialist in palliative and oncological care, personal growth speaker, support for terminal patients and grief — will provide practical tools and answer your questions live.
If you are an EL TIEMPO subscriber, at this link you can register and submit your questions to be answered live: (https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/UHBne9). If you are not yet part of our community, here you can join. Register before spots run out and participate next August 26 at 6:30 p.m.
After the tragedy caused by the earthquake, Dr. Rojas has used his social media to share strategies to control the emotions felt even days after the strong tremor. He has provided various tools to manage fear, anxiety, and the state of alertness. He also spoke about psychological first aid, the importance of sleep, and how to avoid post-traumatic stress.
“What I seek with these videos is to minimize the risk of presenting post-traumatic stress after the earthquake, that is, that set of persistent symptoms that can appear after any type of trauma. I aim to promote psychological resilience, which is the capacity or process of maintaining, recovering, or rebuilding the adaptive functioning necessary in the face of adversity. It is important to highlight that anyone can have resilient resources,” said the doctor.
The talk will be moderated by Valeria Castro, leader of digital subscriptions at EL TIEMPO, and Elim Alonso, newsletter coordinator.
About our expert
Santiago Rojas is a doctor, specialist in palliative and oncological care. He has also focused his career on well-being topics, the study of alternative therapies, and homeopathy.
He has given lectures on personal growth, support for terminal patients and grief, and the use of alternative therapies. He is an adjunct professor of the Postgraduate Program in Alternative Medicines at the National University of Rosario, Argentina, and at the National University of Colombia, and an undergraduate professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Military University of Bogotá.
Additionally, he is the author of several books, including ‘Welcome Death,’ ‘Detoxify Yourself,’ and ‘Flower Essences for Every Moment.’
If you were a direct or indirect victim of the earthquake, or have felt overwhelmed by the emotional impact after the earthquake, do not hesitate to register, leave us your questions, and participate here: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/UHBne9.