When does Psychological First Aid Help?

Psychological First Aid is practical guide and appropriate during crisis

The world is going through a crisis. From disasters, wars, terrorist attacks, traumatic events, ongoing discrimination towards sections of society, criminal activities etc. causes a large number of victims and affected family members of such victims undergo a major psychological breakdown. At times like this Psychological First Aid helps to prevent their health from deteriorating and to empower them to take action to improve their mental health. By helping individuals in need we can then make the world a better place to live in.

“Psychological first aid involves humane, supportive and practical help to fellow human beings who have suffered a serious crisis event.” (WHO, 2011)

What are the aims of Psychological First Aid?

• It equips one to provide practical care and support to the individuals who are affected.
• It equips one to assess needs and concerns of the individuals who are affected.
• It equips one to help address basic needs of the individuals who are affected.
• It equips one to listen to the individuals who are affected.
• It equips one to comfort and help individuals who are affected feel calm.
• It equips one provide individuals who are affected with services who provide professional psychological help and other services.
• It equips one to protect individuals who are affected from further harm.

How does Psychological First Aid help?

• Psychological First Aid helps provide immediate psychological relief to the individuals who are affected.
• Psychological First Aid helps provide immediate relief from stress.
• Psychological First Aid minimizes negative emotional impact of disaster.
• Psychological First Aid helps curbing the stress from the event from developing into a mental health problem like acute stress disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorders.
• Psychological First Aid helps to restore a sense of safety in the time the event has occurred.
• Psychological First Aid provides comfort in the time the event has occurred.
• Psychological First Aid helps them connect to their family and friends in the time the event has occurred.
• Psychological First Aid provides self empowerment for the individuals who are affected.
• Psychological First Aid helps you combat feelings of guilt, if any has risen in the course of the event taking place.
• Psychological First Aid helps children, physical and mental disable individuals and other sensitive groups.
• Psychological First Aid helps affected family members of such victims to combat loss and grieve.

That said Psychological First Aid is practical and appropriate during crises and should be supported with other essential mental health and psychosocial activities.