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MAE SAI, Thailand – In a golden temple in the mountainous north of Thailand, Ekapol Chanthawong has perfected a technique that will be very useful to him while he is locked in a dark cave: meditation.
Before the age of 25 a coach for the young boys of the Wild Boars football team – 12 of whom are stuck at his side – he spent a decade as a Buddhist monk with saffron . He always stays at the temple from time to time and meditates with the monks every day.
"He could meditate until one o'clock," said his aunt, Tham Chanthawong. "It certainly helped and probably helps the boys stay calm."
More than 288 hours have passed since Ekapol and the boys found themselves trapped at Tham Luang Nang No by the monsoon floods on June 23. The group was discovered on July 2 after ten days totally cut off from the outside world, and although they are physically healthy, experts say the test probably took a mental toll that could worsen as and as the situation continues
. It is very likely that the boys were in the cave but have not yet found out from the rescuers that they were experiencing varying degrees of anxiety, fear, confusion, vulnerability and dependency, and maybe even despair, "said Paul Auerbach of the Department of Emergency Medicine. The videos taken inside the cave show the boys, ages 11 to 16, and their trainer interacting with SEAL divers from the Thai Navy, who were sent to them to provide medical care and to hold them. company. Although they are visibly thin and weak, the boys and their coach seem to be in a good mood, smiling at the camera while the SEALs make jokes.
FILE – In this photo published by the rescue operations center Tham Luang use headlamps to enter a complex of black caves where 12 boys and their trainers disappeared, in Mae Sai, in the province of Chiang Rai, north of Thailand, Monday, July 2, 2018. The group was discovered late July 2 after 10 days Experts say the test probably took a mental toll that could worsen as and when as the situation continues. (Tham Luang Rescue Operation Center via AP, File) (Associated Press)
The group is still unable to leave and there is no timetable for its extraction. The only way out of the cavern at that time would be for boys to dive into the same complicated path as lifeguards, which is extremely dangerous even for expert divers, not to mention children without experience. Yet, there is something that is being considered with storms that could aggravate the floods.
The cave rescuers have said that it could be safer to simply provide the boys where they are for now and wait for the water to drop naturally. or pumping. This could take months, however, as the Thai rainy season will generally last until October.
"The discovery was a moment of exaltation," says Auerbach, "but the reality is that a difficult technical rescue might be needed."
Experts say Wild Boars end up in their situation with certain benefits, including their youth, their group identity and, yes, the experience of their coach in mediation. "Teens are mostly social creatures, and have friends with them as well as their coach would be a valuable help, "said David Spiegel, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the Stanford University School of Medicine
. Their trainer is known to be a tight group that goes to school. 39, adventure, including swimming in waterfalls, cycling trips through mountains, rafting and cave exploration.
Ekapol Meditation – a pillar of Buddhist faith – probably served well The group
"I suppose that might be helpful – even if it only worked as a way for the children to feel that their coach was doing something to help," said Michael Poulin, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. State University of New York at Buffalo. "To feel loved and cared for is paramount."
Spiegel agreed that meditation could help those trapped to manage their mental state, "allowing their negative and fearful thoughts to pass through them like a passing storm, rather than fighting their fear." 19659017] Aisha Wiboonrungrueng, whose 11-year-old son, Chanin, is trapped in the cave, does not doubt that Ekapol's calm personality influenced the boys' state of mind [19659015] "Look how quiet they were. Nobody was crying or anything. It was amazing, "she said, quoting a video that captured the moment when the boys were found.
Omar Reygadas, who spent 69 days underground in Chile in 2010 with 32 others Minors, said faith and prayer, humor They were very important to minors when they doubted that they would come out of it.
"They should not be ashamed to be afraid," he said. says about boys. "Because we were also scared. Our tears have also run. Even as grown men, we cried. "
If safety issues force boys to stay in the cave for a long time, it will be important for their mental health to be organized and to do their daily routine," said John Fairbank, professor of psychiatry and co-director of the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Post Traumatic Stress
He said that this could include "daily hygiene routines, regular meals, cognitive activities adapted to the Age, limited space, religious / spiritual practices, and specific moments for daily briefings on their situation and to communicate with their families. "
All experts agreed that the group would continue to face challenges even after they had left the cave.
The Thai Department of Mental Health reported that hospitals were preparing boys and They would monitor them until their mental health is fully restored.They also work with families to prepare to interact with the boys once they have come out, such as not looking for details. on what they endured.
"Their return to the outside world of the cave will be predictable. massive attention from family, friends and the media, "said Auerbach, noting that this could be overwhelming." The world quickly loses interest and moves on to the next story, so it is extremely important that these survivors are not forgotten and are closely monitored so that they can receive the best possible support. "
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