Frequently asked questions

Travma Afet Kriz Derneği (TAK-DER) — the Trauma, Disaster and Crisis Association — is a science- and ethics-based professional association working in psychosocial support in trauma, disasters and crises. It is based in Nicosia (Lefkoşa) and operates under the Associations Law (23/2016). It aims to strengthen individuals and society through training, publications, research and cooperation with institutions. About us

No. We do not provide emergency response, and we cannot answer messages from this site, email or social media immediately. If a life is in danger call 112, for violence call 155, or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. In an emergency

Your family doctor or the mental health units of state hospitals can refer you to the right service. If your reactions last longer than four weeks or you are struggling with daily tasks, don’t put it off. When to seek support

The association’s sources of income are defined in its statute; a breakdown of income and spending will be published each year with the activity report. Donations will be accepted once the association is registered, a bank account is opened and the necessary permissions are obtained; donation details will be announced on this site then. Transparency

No. The association is independent of political parties, candidates and campaigns, and its name may not be used for commercial or personal promotion. No funder or donor has a say over the content of our publications or training. Statement of autonomy

Members take part in the association’s decisions: they vote at the General Assembly, stand for its bodies and join working groups. Volunteers take on tasks after completing the association’s training. You can do both. Get involved

Anyone who shares the association’s aims and principles and meets the conditions in the statute may apply. The conditions are set out in Article 6 of the statute; the full list will appear on the membership page once the registered statute is published. Become a member

Your application is decided within 30 days at the latest, and you are informed of the decision in writing (statute, Art. 7).

The fee will be set at the first General Assembly and published on the membership page (statute, Art. 11).

Yes. TAK-DER volunteers complete the association’s training before taking on any task; we never send anyone into the field unprepared. This protects both the people receiving support and you. Filling in the application form does not commit you to anything. Volunteer

We are preparing certificate programmes for professionals, hands-on workshops for disaster and crisis workers, and awareness training for schools, organisations and communities. Programmes and dates will be announced on the training page and our social media accounts as they are confirmed. Training and events

Yes. We work with public bodies, local authorities, schools, universities and civil society organisations on joint training, preparedness and research; you can request psychosocial support, psychological first aid or secondary trauma training for your staff. Partnerships

Yes. All TAK-DER publications may be copied and adapted for non-commercial purposes with attribution (CC BY-NC 4.0). They are free and require no registration. Publications and resources

After an abnormal event, sleep problems, startling, restlessness and absent-mindedness are very common and ease for most people within a few weeks. Which reactions are normal?

If reactions last longer than four weeks, if you cannot manage daily tasks, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself. In the last case call 112 without waiting.

You don’t need to be an expert: make sure they are safe, listen without pressing them to talk, help them reach basic needs and accurate information, and support their connection with the people they love. Psychological first aid

Yes — briefly, honestly and in a way that suits their age. Children often fill silence with scenarios that are scarier than the truth. Example phrases

Before sharing, check the source, the date and statements from official institutions. Four-step verification

Make a family disaster plan, agree on meeting points and how you will stay in touch, pack an emergency kit and check your home for possible hazards. Family disaster plan · Emergency kit

Applications and messages go to the association’s official email address and are used only for the purpose you sent them for. Please do not share details of your health or of events you have experienced in the forms. Privacy and personal data

No. The face, voice, name and story of people receiving support are never used without their consent; we do not share photos of children or images of destruction, injury or suffering from disaster areas. Ethical principles