Shocked and shaken, Venezuela quake survivors get psychological help

July 9, 2026 - 04:27

Daniela Lopez, 40, wept openly as she spoke with a psychologist in a temporary shelter set up after the earthquake. The session, she said, helped ease the shock that has gripped her since the ground began to shake. "I could not stop trembling," Lopez told the counselor. "Now I feel a little calmer."

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck northern Venezuela late Tuesday, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more. Thousands of residents fled their homes as buildings swayed and walls cracked. In the aftermath, many survivors are struggling with anxiety, insomnia, and recurring images of the disaster.

Mental health teams have been deployed to affected areas, offering one-on-one counseling and group sessions. Psychologist Maria Rivas, who treated Lopez, said the goal is to help people process the trauma before it becomes chronic. "They are shaken, not just physically but emotionally," Rivas explained. "We listen. We let them cry. That is the first step."

The government has set up temporary shelters in schools and community centers for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. Aid workers distribute food, water, and blankets, but the invisible wounds are harder to treat. Many survivors report being afraid to sleep indoors, fearing aftershocks.

Lopez, a mother of two, said her children are still too scared to return to their apartment. "Every time a truck passes, they think it is another earthquake," she said. The psychological support, she added, has given her hope. "I know we cannot forget what happened. But maybe we can learn to live with it."

Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity and urge residents to remain cautious. For now, the focus remains on healing both the bodies and minds of those affected by the disaster.