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May 19, 2010

Eva Olsson has been sharing her experiences at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp with riveted audiences for the last 12 years, reports EMC Almonte/Carleton Place.

She describes what it was like to be separated from her family and how she survived the atrocities committed by the Nazis.

Olsson shared these details with several classes of older children by comparing it to something they were all are familiar with - bullying. She made that connection to illustrate how the Nazis were driven by hate.

"When I was a little girl in Europe a long time ago, there were 300 Nazi bullies," she told the group. "By 1933, there were 300,000 bullies."

Olsson said that she lived day by day never knowing if it might be her last.

"Never ever should you give up...," she said to the school children. "That's how I survived."

Victims of violence and physical and emotional trauma may have a difficult time talking about their experiences. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 5.2 million Americans ages 18 to 54 suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Experts suggest many different types of treatment for PTSD. Individuals who are affected by the condition should consult with their doctors to decide which will work best for them.

The proper counseling and medication therapies can help survivors feel in control of their emotions and lead thriving lives.

Individuals who have experienced a violent conflict or PTSD may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute or the American Red Cross, a prominent non-profit organization which helps war victims and accepts donations.

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