Psychological First Aid For Disaster Survivors PDF

n n n n Psychological First Aid For All n n n Psychological First Aid Key Points n Parallel to medical first aid n Uses skills you probably already have n Appropriate for all ages n Consi...

n n n n Psychological First Aid For All n n n Psychological First Aid Key Points n Parallel to medical first aid n Uses skills you probably already have n Appropriate for all ages n Consistent with research evidence on risk and resilience following trauma  n Crisis Events n Crisis events – both large- scale and individual – occur in every community in the world They have physical, social and emotional consequences for those affected  n PFA: First-Line Psychosocial Support n PFA is important, first-line psychosocial support for people affected by crisis events n– PFA, like medical “first aid”, is not enough on its own Term “PFA” was first coined in the 1940s but its use has increased in modern-day crisis events  n What is PFA? n nHumane, supportive & practical assistance to fellow human beings who recently suffered a serious stressor: Non-intrusive, practical care and support Assessing needs and concerns Helping people to address basic needs (food, water) Listening, but not pressuring people to talk  n What PFA is NOT? n NOT something only professionals can do NOT professional counselling NOT a clinical or psychiatric intervention (although can be part of good clinical care) NOT “psychological debriefing”  n n Why PFA? People do better over the long term if they… – Feel safe, connected to others, calm & hopeful – Have access to n social, physical & emotional support – Regain a sense of control by being able to help themselves n n SAFETY, FUNCTION, ACTION: n Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors n n OUTCOMES n nSAFETY nnFUNCTION n nACTION n Restoring n Facilitating n Initiating n physical safety n psychological n n n action toward n n and diminishing n function n disaster nn n n n the physiological n and perceived n recovery n stress n sense of safety n and return to n response. n and control. nnormal activity.  n n SAFETY, FUNCTION, ACTION: n Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors n SAFETY n n n What Survivors Need: nSafety n n nSAFETY nSecurity nShelter n n nWhat To Do: n nRemove from harm’s way. nRemove from the scene. nnSAFEGUARD nProvide safety and security. nProvide shelter. nReduce stressors.  n n SAFETY, FUNCTION, ACTION: n Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors n SAFETY n n n What Survivors Need: n nSAFETY nBasic survival needs n n nWhat To Do: nProvide food, water, ice. n nSUSTAIN nProvide medical care, alleviate pain. n nProvide clothing. nProvide power, light, heat, air conditioning. nProvide sanitation.  n n SAFETY, FUNCTION, ACTION: n Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors n FUNCTION n n n What Survivors Need: nnFUNCTION nSoothing human contact nValidation that reactions are “normal”. n n nWhat To Do: n n nCOMFORT nEstablish a compassionate “presence.” nListen actively. n nComfort, console, soothe, and reassure. nApply stress management techniques. nReassure survivors that their reactions are  n n SAFETY, FUNCTION, ACTION: n Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors n FUNCTION n n n What Survivors Need: nnFUNCTION nSocial supports/keeping family together nReuniting separated loved ones nnConnection to disaster recovery services, nmedical care, work, school, vital services nn n nWhat To Do: n nCONNECT nKeep survivor families intact. nReunite separated loved ones. n nReunite parents with children. nConnect survivors to available supports. nConnect to disaster relief services, medical care.  n n SAFETY, FUNCTION, ACTION: n Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors n ACTION n n n What Survivors Need: n nACTION nInformation about the disaster n nInformation about what to do nInformation about resources nReduction of uncertainty nn n n What To Do: n n EDUCATE nClarifydisaster information: what happened n what will happen nProvide guidance about what to do. n 14 navailable resources.  n n SAFETY, FUNCTION, ACTION: n Psychological First Aid for Disaster Survivors n n ACTION n n What Survivors Need: n nACTION nPlanning for recovery n nPractical first steps and “do-able” tasks nSupportto resume normal activities nOpportunities to help others nn n nWhat To Do: nSet realistic disaster recovery goals. nnEMPOWER nProblem solve to meet goals. nnDefine simple, concrete tasks. nIdentify steps for resuming normal activities. nEngage able survivors in helping 15 n tasks.  n PFA: Who, When, Where? n Who can benefit from PFA? – Boys, girls, women and men who have recently experienced a crisis event and are distressed When should PFA be provided? – When encountering a person in distress, usually immediately following a crisis event Where should PFA be provided? – Anywhere that is safe for the helper and affected person, ideally with some privacy as appropriate to the situation  n Helping Responsibly: Ethical Guidelines n nDon’ts Don’t exploit your relationship as a helper. Don’t ask the person for any money or favor for helping them. Don’t make false promises or give false information. Don’t exaggerate your skills. Don’t force help on people, and ndon’t be intrusive or pushy. Don’t pressure people to tell you their story. Don’t share the person’s story with others. Don’t judge the person for their actions or feelings. n nDo’s n Be honest and trustworthy. Respect a person’s right to make their own decisions. Be aware of and set aside your nown biases and prejudices. Make it clear to people that even if they refuse help now, they can still access help in the future. Respect privacy and keep the person’s story confidential, as appropriate. Behave appropriately according to the person’s culture, age and gender.  n How to Help Responsibly n Adapt what you do to take account of the person’s culture Respect safety, dignity and rights – Safety: don’t expose people to further harm, ensure (as best you can) they are safe and protected from further physical or psychological harm – Dignity: treat people with respect and according to their cultural and social norms – Rights: act only in people’s best interest, ensure access to impartial assistance without discrimination, assist people to claim their rights and access available support  n PFA Action Principles n nPrepare nLook nListen nLink n n n  n PFA Action Principles n Prepare n Learn about the crisis event. Learn about available services and supports. Learn about safety and security concerns. n Look n Observe for safety. n Quick Time™ and a decompress Observe for people with obvious urgent basic needs. Observe for people with serious distress reactions. or n are needed to see this picture. n Listen Make contact with people who may need support. n Ask about people’s needs and concerns. Listen to people and help them feel calm. n QuickTime™ and a decompressor n are needed to see this picture. n Link Help people address basic needs and access services. n Help people cope with problems. n Give information. n n QuickTime™ and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. Connect people with loved ones and social support.  n People who Likely Need Special Attention (to be safe, to access services) n Children and adolescents – Especially those separated from caregivers n People with health conditions and disabilities – People who are non-mobile, or who have chronic illness, hearing/visual impairments (deaf or blind), or severe mental disorders – Frail elderly people, pregnant or nursing women n People at risk of discrimination or violence n – Women, people of certain ethnic or religious groups, people with mental disabilities n n