23 February 2011

An extensive earthquake trauma and recovery support webpage for families and friends, and those caring for them, including support professionals and employers, managers and colleagues, has been set up by Skylight at www.skylight.org.nz

We know that many children, teens, adults, families, friends, neighbours and workmates were traumatized from the last Earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

This time, with such a devastating quake happening whilst children were at school and away from their families, with massive building collapses and destruction and sadly with a growing death toll, we know it will have a massively greater and longer term impact.

Skylight is a leading New Zealand specialist agency assisting in loss, trauma and grief support. Our support page (linked from Skylight’s homepage) can assist with the Christchurch's grief, trauma and loss support and recovery right now, and in weeks and months to come.

The page features key information, links, downloads, helpful articles and support resources relating directly to loss, disaster, trauma, bereavement and grief - for people of all ages.

Individuals and families can also request a personalized support pack tailor-made for their particular circumstances, which will be posted to them or to their family members.

This is also helpful for people living in other part of the country or overseas that might wish to do what they can to support their loved ones or colleagues from afar.

People outside the region may well be affected, even traumatized by this disaster (especially children and young people) or they will know people who have died, possibly even lost a family member.

Skylight can be contacted on 0800 299 100 or +64 4 939 6767 or by email rs@skylight-trust.org.nz.

We want to do as much as we can to help and support New Zealanders and in this case especially our friends, families and the whole community in Christchurch.

Skylight has previously assisted with disaster recovery in Victoria (bushfires) and Queensland (floods), as well as the West Coast Mining Disaster and September 4th earthquake in Christchurch.

ENDS

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