AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — It’s now been more than a week since the first round of hostages held by Hamas were released.
Many of them are now heading back home, but what happens next?
The now-freed hostages were held in captivity for more than 45 days not knowing their fate. Experts at Just Mind Counseling say that undoubtedly takes a physical, mental, and emotional toll.
“The experience is such a traumatic one and, you know, there’s a range of psychological issues that someone might have,” said licensed clinical social worker supervisor at Just Mind Counseling Diana Schaefer.
The good news is that those kidnapped are now free, safe and being reunited with their loved ones, but how they are returning is the concern.
Counselors say being held captive can have a profound, long-lasting effect on a person’s mental health. They can come back having problems with their memory, having a hard time making decisions, and experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
“They might experience depression. They might feel intense feelings of sadness, loss of interest in their usual activities, trouble sleeping,” Schaefer said. “They might experience anxiety symptoms, like hypervigilance or hyperarousal, where they’re always scanning for danger, because they’ve in fact had such danger.”
Six of the hostages kidnapped on Oct. 7 were family members of Leander man Dori Roberts.
Three of the six, Roberts’ female cousin and her two young daughters, were among those first released.
Hostages ranged from toddlers to the elderly, but Schaefer says younger hostages may have a harder time coping.
“They don’t have the same coping capacity that an adult has,” she said. “I mean, when your trust has been violated in that kind of way, and you’ve lost the most significant people in your life, understandably, it’s gonna have an impact.”
CBS Austin spoke to Roberts the day his three family members were released.
He said he knew they’d have a rough road ahead but was hopeful.
“Become just like wonderful people like they are before that, because we’re talking about a really special two little girls and a mother who just loved life,” Roberts said. “I want her to be back to what she was before.”
When we last spoke to Roberts, he said he hadn’t contacted the three, because he wanted to give them some privacy and time to recover until they’re ready.
Experts say, that is one way of being there for them, at this time.
“If they don’t want to talk about it, respect that. If they do want to talk about it, to just be there to listen,” said Schaefer. “If they do experience that their loved one is having symptoms of depression or anxiety, or PTSD, to support them in getting some professional help.”
Experts say not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. They also say therapy and medication can help with what they’ll be facing.
A few weeks after the hostages were taken, Roberts let us know his aunt was sadly killed. Saturday, he confirmed one of the two family members left in captivity is also dead.