Psychological First Aid Overview

Safety, Function, Action: Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors

• Psychological First Aid (PFA) is humane, supportive, and practical assistance for individuals who have recently experienced a crisis event.
• PFA Goal: To provide immediate support and aid to individuals experiencing emotional distress after a crisis.
• Action Focus: Focuses on practical steps, planning, and support for resuming normal activities.
• PFA Applicability: PFA assists individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds who are experiencing distress due to a crisis event
• PFA Timing: PFA interventions are most beneficial soon after a crisis event occurs.
• PFA Environment: PFA can be offered in safe and comfortable settings for both the individual and provider, with appropriate privacy measures.
• PFA Not Therapy: PFA is not a replacement for professional mental health interventions and counseling.

Helping Responsibly: Ethical Guidelines

• Ethical Guidelines: PFA providers should adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure respectful and responsible support for individuals.
• Don'ts:
  • Do not exploit the individual's vulnerability.
  • Do not request money, favors, or any form of remuneration for PFA.
  • Do not make false promises or give false information.
  • Do not exaggerate your skills or expertise.
  • Do not force assistance.
  • Do not intrude or be pushy.
  • Do not pressure individuals to share their story.
  • Do not discuss the individual's story with others.
  • Do not judge the individual's actions or feelings.
• Do's:
  • Be honest and trustworthy.
  • Respect the individual's right to make decisions.
  • Be aware of your own biases and prejudices.
  • Clearly communicate that individuals can seek help in the future, even if they decline it now.
  • Respect privacy and keep the individual's story confidential.
  • Behave appropriately according to the individual's culture, age, and gender.

PFA Action Principles

• Prepare:
  • Understand the crisis event.
  • Learn about available services and supports.
  • Be aware of safety and security concerns.
• Look:
  • Observe for potential safety hazards. Identify individuals with urgent needs or experiencing serious distress reactions.
• Listen:
  • Make contact with individuals who might need support.
  • Inquire about their needs and concerns.
  • Listen actively to help them feel calm and safe.
• Link:
  • Assist individuals with addressing their basic needs and accessing services.
  • Help individuals cope with problems.
  • Provide relevant information.
  • Connect individuals with loved ones or social support networks.

Psychological First Aid: Key Points

• First-Line Support: PFA is an initial psychosocial step in supporting individuals impacted by crisis events, similar to medical first aid.
• Utilizable Skills: PFA utilizes existing interpersonal skills.
• Broad Applicability: PFA is appropriate for individuals of all age groups.
• Evidence-Based: PFA is aligned with research findings on risk and resilience after traumatic experiences.

Crisis Events

• Universal Impact: Crisis events, both large-scale and individual, occur throughout the world and have physical, social, and emotional consequences.

PFA: First-Line Psychosocial Support

• First-Line Intervention: PFA is fundamental for supporting individuals affected by crisis events.
• Limited Scope: Although important, PFA is not a comprehensive solution.
• Increased Use: PFA usage, first coined in the 1940s, has become increasingly prominent in modern crisis events.

What is PFA?

• Humanitarian Aid: PFA provides humane, supportive, and practical assistance to individuals following a traumatic event.
• Non-Intrusive Care: PFA aims to support individuals without intrusiveness, focusing on practical care and needs assessments.
• Basic Needs: PFA assists people in addressing their basic needs, such as food and water.
• Active Listening: PFA involves listening actively to individuals, but without pressuring them to share their experiences.

What PFA is NOT

• PFA is not a role for professionals only.
• PFA is not substitute for professional counseling.
• PFA is not a clinical or psychiatric intervention, although it can complement clinical care.
• PFA is distinct from "psychological debriefing."

Why PFA?

• Building Resilience: Providing immediate support can help reduce distress and increase resilience in individuals facing a crisis.
• Reducing Strain: Early intervention can help minimize the long-term psychological and social impact on individuals and communities.
• Effective Approach: PFA has been shown to be effective in helping individuals cope with the aftermath of a crisis.