* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia
On March 11, 2004, early in the morning, I was driving to the London hospital where, for the previous decade, I had been Head of the Public Psychotherapy Services. At that moment, I was listening to the BBC news on the radio (motor vehicles at that time still had this device).
Suddenly, the announcer interrupted one of the news to connect with Madrid. I felt like my heart was tearing, while a chill went through my entire body: in the middle of rush hour, ten bombs had exploded almost simultaneously on four Cercanías trains, in Atocha and three other stations.
I stopped the car in the first space I found. When I realized the magnitude of the tragedy, I burst into tears. My heart wanted to take the first available plane, in order to accompany the families of the multiple fatalities and the countless injured. I was about to call the hospital, but decided it was important to stay with the patients I was supposed to see that morning.
My first clinical engagement of the day was a psychotherapy group of eight vulnerable people, each with their own traumatic experiences. On an emotional level, it was very difficult for me to prepare for the session. I was clear that I was not going to mention the Madrid tragedy in the group; Psychiatrists should not talk about our problems or concerns to our patients.
According to my usual practice, about 20 minutes before starting the session, I left nine chairs prepared in a circle and the door to the group room open. In this way, patients could take their place as they arrived and prepare their minds for therapeutic work. During that preparatory time, I was in my office reviewing the clinical material from the previous sessions.
At the beginning of this difficult session I felt a sad, yet affectionate, collective look from the entire group. Richard, one of the patients, told me that they had spoken among themselves and that they would like to begin the session with a minute of silence, as a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Spain, and that the hearts of all the members of the group They united my pain and that of my compatriots.
I will never forget this gesture of affection and empathy, especially because it came from people who needed help, but who were able to use their own resources to offer emotional support.
20 years have passed since the brutal terrorist attack that shocked the entire Spanish society and the societies of supportive countries.
On this 20th anniversary, my thoughts are with the victims who should never have died; My affection also wants to reach his family, friends and colleagues, whose lives were destroyed. It is important that they know that they are not alone, that there are many people who still feel with them, support them, and wish them the best.
Solidarity makes us more human.
