Many university students will suffer from psychological effects and will need counselling, says a psychiatrist.
Dr Ludwig Nanawar the Director of Medical Services for Psychiatric Hospital told Loop PNG that the University of Papua New Guinea, PNG University of Technology and University of Goroka must provide counselling to students and also staffs to help them recover.
This follow peaceful boycotting of classes at this three State run universities for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to step down which turned violent among students and also local police involved.
UOG have already recommence classes, and UPNG and Unitech will resume next month.
“There is a good chance that some will suffer varying degrees of psychological effects from incidents that occurred at the three main state universities. Those who are most likely to be affected are those who are physically injured and those who were physically and verbally intimated by other students,” Dr Nanawar said.
“Common conditions that may affect vulnerable students are post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, generalized, anxiety disorder, panic attacks and depression.
“I have no doubt some will need psychiatric treatment.
“I did volunteer myself to assist the UPNG students using Medicine Clinic at Taurama Campus but as we were organizing there was another wave of students’ violence at the main campus and the academic year got terminated,” the psychologist said.
Meanwhile, UOG Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb informed Loop PNG earlier that counselling for students started a month before the start of classes and is ongoing.
Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mange Matui speaking on ‘Nau’ talkback program on TV Wan said students will move in to the UPNG campus 27 August.
He said as soon as they move in, they will fill in their resumption forms during the first day and counselling services will be provided and continuing for staff and students.