Psychological First Aid

 

Psychological First Aid  Supportng People in he Afermah o Crisis Evens

 

Diferent kinds o Crisis NATURAL DISASTER VIOLENCE & DISPLACEMENT

ACCIDENT

 

Wha comes o mind when you hear… “Psychological Firs Aid”

 

Wha is PFA? • Humane, supportve and practcal assisance o ellow human beings who recenly suered exposure o serious sressors, and involves:  – Non-inrusive, practcal practcal care and suppor  –  –  –  –  –

Assessing needs and concerns Helping people o address basic needs (ood, waer) Lisening, bu no pressuring people o alk Comortng people and helping hem o eel calm Helping people connec o inormaton, services and social suppors  – Proectng people rom urher harm

 

Wha PFA is NOT? • I is NOT somehing only proessionals can do • I is NOT proessional counseling • I is NOT “psychological debrieng” even  – No deailed discussion o he disressing even

• I is NOT asking people o analyze wha happened or pu tme and evens in order • Alhough PFA involves being available o lisen o people’s sories, i is NOT pressuring people o ell you heir eelings or reactons o an even

 

Responses o Crisis Evens • People may have very dieren reactons o an even. • Wha acors inuence how someone responds?

 

Why PFA? • People do beer over he long-erm i hey…  – Feel sae, conneced o ohers, calm & hopeul  – Have access o social, physical & emotonal suppor  – Regain a sense o conrol by being able o help hemselves

 

Group Exercise (5 minues) Following a crisis even…

may bene rom PFA? PFA? • WHO may • WHO may need more advanced suppor? • WHEN should PFA be provided?

• WHERE should PFA be provided?

 

PFA: Who? • Very disressed people who were recenly exposed o a serious sressul sressul even be provided o aduls and children •• Can No everyone who experiences a crisis even will need or wan PFA  – Don’ orce help on hose who don’ wan i, bu make yoursel available and easily accessible o hose who may wan suppor

 

Who needs more advanced suppor han PFA alone? • People wih serious liehreaening injuries upse • People canno so care or hey hemselves or heir children

 

Who needs more advanced suppor han PFA alone?

• People who may hur hemselves • People who may hur or endanger he lives o ohers

 

PFA: When? • Upon rs conac wih very disressed people, usually immediaely ollowing an even, or sometmes a ew days or weeks afer

 

PFA: Where? • Wherever i is sae enough or you o be here appropriae) • Ideally wih some privacy (as appropriae) o proec condentaliy and digniy o he aeced person

 

Actviy – What i I lost… ou have been given g iven hree cards ea each ch o hree  Y dieren dieren  colors: Blue Card - wrie - wrie he name o a person close o

you on each card Whie Card - wrie down one o your avorie belongings Pink Card Card - wrie down somehing you enjoy, enjoy, an

actviy, or hobby.

 Afer you have wrien on each card, place

hem ace down on he able and shue hem around. Close y your our eyes eyes and pick hree cards. 

 

Actviy – What i I lost…  These are he hree hings you will

have los in a disaser.  Discuss wih he group how you eel

abou losing hese hings or people

 

I his crisis happened… • Wha would you need as a SURVIVOR?

• Wha would you need as a HELPER?

 

Full Day Orienaton Frequen Needs o People Afer Crisis Ev Even en • Basic needs: sheler, sheler, ood, ood, waer, waer, saniaton • Healh services or injuries or help wih chronic medical conditons • Undersandable and correc inormaton abou even, loved ones and available services • Being able o conac loved ones • Access o specic suppor relaed o one’s culure or religion  • Being consuled and involved in imporan decisions

 

PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID Acon Principles PREPARE  

LOOK

 

 

LINK

 Observe ve or sa saey ey..  Obser  Observe or people wih obvious  Observe or people wih serious

 

LISTEN

 Learn about the crisis event. Learn about available services and supports. Learn about saety and security concerns.

urgen basic needs. disress reactons.

 conac wih people whoconcerns. may need  Ask abou people’s needs and  Make  Lisen o people and help hen eel calm.

 Help

suppor.

people address b people basic asic needs and access services.

 people copewih wihloved problems.  Connec people ones and social  Help

suppor.

 

Prepare

  •Learn about the crisis event. •Learn about available services and supports. •Learn about safety and security concerns.

• Crisis siuatons can be chaotc • They ofen require urgen acton

Wherever possible BEFORE you enter a crisis site, try to obtain accurate informaon so you can be safe and eecve

 

Prepare

Before you enter a crisis site, try to learn about…

The Crisis Event

•What happened? •Where? •When? •How many and who are affected?

Available Services

•Who is providing for basic needs (emergency medical care, food, shelter)? •When and where can people access services? •Who is helping, including community members?

Safety and

•Is the crisis over or ongoing (aftershocks, fighting)?

Security

•What dangers may be in the environment? • Are  Are there places to avoid due to insecur insecurity ity or bec because ause it is not permitted to be there?

 

Look

  QuickTime™ and a   decompressor  are needed to see this picture.

•Observe for safety. •Observe for people with obvious urgent basic needs. •Observe for people with serious distress reactions.

• Crisis siuatons can change rapidly • Wha you encouner may be dieren rom wha you learned beore enering • Take tme - even a quick scan - o LOOK around beore oering help

Be calm Be sae Think beore you ac

 

Look

Safety

 

•Observe for safety. •Observe for people with obvious urgent basic needs. •Observe for people with serious distress reactions. •What dangers can you observe? •Can you be there without harm to yourself or others?

•Is anyone critically injured People with obvious urgent •Does anyone need rescue?  basic needs •Obvious needs (e.g., torn clothing)? •Who may need help to access services or to be protected? •Who else is available to help?

People with serious distress

If you’re not certain about safety…DO NOT GO! Seek help from others Communicate from a safe distance Know your role Try to obtain help for people who need special assistance Refer critically injured people for care

•How many & where are they? Consider who may benefit •Is anyone extremely upset, immobile, from PFA and how best to not responding to others or in shock? help

 

People who Likely Need Special Aenon ( To To be sae. . . . To access access service servicess )  Children

and adolescents

- Especially those separated rom caregivers.   People with health condions and disabilies.

  - People who are non- mobile , or who have no chronic illnesses , hearing/ visual impairments ( dea or blind ),    - or severe mental disorders. Frail elderly people , pregnant pregnant or nursing women.   People at risk o discriminaon or violence.   - women , people o certain ethnic or religions groups   , people with mental disabilies.

 

Distress Reacons To Crisis Physical al symptoms ( Physic

shaking, headaches, ague, loss o appete, aches & pains )  Anxiety and ear  Weeping, grie and sadness   Guilt shameothers)’ ( or having survived, or or not ,saving  Elaon or having survived  Being on guard, jumpy  Anger, irritability

 Immobile, withdrawn  Disoriented- not knowing

one’s name , where one is rom or what happened. not speaking   Not responding to others , not at all.   Feeling

conused , emoonally numb, eeling unreal or in a daze. to care or onesel onesel  or one’s   Unable to children ( not eang or drinking, not able to make simple decisions.) decisions.)

 

LISTEN Make Contact

         

Approach Introduce respecully yoursel yoursel by name & organiza organizaon. on. Ask i you can provide hel help. p. Find sa sae e & quiet pla place. ce. Help person eel comortable . ( water, water, blanket ) Try to k keep eep them sae.

Ask About Needs and Concern

   

Although some needs are are obvious, always always ask . Find out person’s person’s priories. ( What is most most important to them )

Listen & Help People Feel Calm

     

Stay close to the person. Do not pressure them to talk. Listen in case they w want ant to talk. talk.   I every distressed, help them eel calm & make sure they are not alone.

 

Help People Feel Calm      

Keep your tone o voice so and calm. Maintain some eye eye contact. Reassure them they are sae and that you are there

to help.   I someone eels “ unreal” help them to make contact with:   -- Themselves Themse lves ( eel eet on the oor, oor, tap hands on top.)   

-- Their Their breath surroundings surroundi ngs (on noce things around them ) -( ocus breath & breathe slowly)

 

LISTEN

 

     

Make contact with people who may need support. Ask about people’ people’ss needs and concerns. Listen to people people and help them eel calm.

Listen List en with compassion by using your : Eyes  – Eyes  – Giving the person person your undivided a aenon enon Ears- hearing careul careully ly their concern. Heart-  with caring and showing respect. Heart-

 

Good Communicaton: Things o say and do. Try

o nd a quie place o alk and minimize minimize ouside disractons. keep an appropriae Say near he person bu keep disance depending depending on heir age , gender and culure. Le hem know you hear hem , or example nod your head and say “ hmmm.” Be paten and calm. Provide acual inormaton i you have i. Be hones wha you know . Say “ I don’ know bu I will ry o nd ou abou ha or you.” you.”

 

Good Communicaton: Things To S Say ay And do Give

inormaton in a way he person can undersand- keep i simple. Acknowledge how hey are eeling, and any losses or imporan evens hey share wih you , such as loss o home, or deah o a loved loved one. Say Say “ I’ I’m m sorry.” privacy.. Keep he person’ person’ss sory Respec privacy condental, especially when hey disclosed very privae evens. Acknowledge he person’s srenghs and how hey have helped hemselves.

 

Good Communicaton: Things NO NOT T  o Say and Do Don’

pressure someone o ell heir sory. i nerrup or rush someone’ someone’ss sory. sory. Don’ inerrup Don’ give your own opinion’s siuaton, jus lisen. Don’ ouch he person i you are no sure i is appropriae o do so. Don’ judge wha hey have or haven’ done or how hey are eeling. eeling. Don’ say say.. . . “ You shouldn’ eel ha way.” or “ You should eel lucky you survived.” Don’ make up hings you don’ know. Don’ use oo echnical erms. 

Don’ ell hem so someone’ meone’ss els else e sory sory..

 

Good communicaton: Things NOT o say and do. Don’ alk abou your own roubles. Don’

eel you have have o ry o solve all he

person’s problem or hem. Don’ give alse promises or alse reassurances. Don’

ake ak e away he person’s person’s ssrengh rengh and sense o being able o care or hemselves.

 

LINK

 

 Help

people address basic needs and access services.  Help people cope with problems.  Give inormaon loved ones and social support.  Connect people with loved

Help people to help themselves and regain control control o their situaon

 

 

LINK- BASIC NEEDS

What needs do they request ?   What servic services es are available ?   Don’t overlook the needs o vulnerable marginalized people.   Follow up i you promise to do

 

so.

 

  LinkLink- help people cope wih problems. Distressed people may eel overwhelmed overwhelmed with worries. . . . . .

 

Help them priorize priorize urgen urgentt needs ( wha whatt to do rst ) them ideny supports in in their lie.   Help them praccal suggeson how they can meet their   Give praccal needs ( e.g. registering or ood aid )  

 

Help them rebeer. member how they coped in the past what helps them eelremember

 

 Link Link-- Social Support  

Social suppo support rt is very important to recovery. children with   Keep amilies together & children caregivers.   Help people contact riends and love ones.   Give access to religious support.   Afected people may be able to help each other – bring them together.   Make sure people know about how to access services ( especially vulnerable people .)

 

Ending your assisance • Use your bes judgmen o he person’s needs and your own needs • Explain you are leaving and, i possible, inroduce hem o someone else who can help

 

Ending your assisance • I you linked hem wih services, be sure hey have conac deails and know wha o expec • No maer wha your experience, say goodbye in a good way, wish hem well

 

Summary: Ehical Guidelines Do’s • Be hones and rusworhy

•

•

•

Don’ts • Don’ exploi your relatonship as a helper

Respec a person’s righ o make heir own decisions

•

Don’ ask he person or any money or avor or helping hem

Be aware o and se aside your own biases and prejudices

•

Don’ make alse promises or give alse inormaton

•

Don’ exaggerae your skills

•

Don’ orce help on people, and don’ be inrusive or pushy

Make i clear o people ha even i hey reuse help now, hey can stll access help in he uure

 

Summary: Ehical Guidelines Do’s • Respec privacy and keep he person’s sory condental, as appropriae

•

Behave appropriaely according o he person’s culure, age and gender

Don’ts • Don’ pressure people o ell you heir sory

•

Don’ share he person’s sory wih ohers

•

Don’ judge he person or heir actons or eelings

 

Starng and Ending With Care For Ourselves

• How do I ake ake care care o mysel mysel ? ake care o each oher • How does my eam ake ? Be responsible o yoursel yoursel and ohers by paying aenton o sel care on a daily basis.

 

Practce Sel And Team CAre • Beore   - Are you ready o help ? 

During   - How can you sa say y physically and emotona emotonaly ly healhy? - How can you suppor colleagues ?   Afer - How can you ake tme o res, recover and reec ?

 

Seek suppor rom someone you rus when you . . . • Have upseng houghs or memories abou he crisis even even. . • Feel very nervous or exremely sad. • Have rouble sleeping • Drink a lo o alcohol or ake drugs o cope wih your experience Consul a proessional proessional i hese dicultes persis more han one monh.

 

Sel and Team Care • I is bes or or helpers o be conneced wih an agency or group o ensure saey and good coordinaton. • Check in wih ellow helpers o see how hey are doing, and have hem check in wih you.

• When your helping role in he crisis is over be sure o ake ake tme or res and reecton. • Talk abou your experien experience ce wih a supervisor, supervisor, collegues or someone else you rus.

 

Positve coping sraegies (adjus or culure) Help people use their natural coping mechanisms to regain a sense o control:  –  –  –  –

Ge enough resas possible and drink waer Ea as regularly Talk and spend tme wih amily and riends Discuss problems wih someone you rus

pray, play wih children  – Relax: walk, sing, pray

 

Positve coping sraegies (adjus or culure) Help people use their natural coping mechanisms to regain a sense o control:  –  –  –  –

Exercise Avoid Avoi d alcohol or o r drugs, ca caeine, eine, nicotne Aend o personal hygiene Find sae ways o help ohers

 

Ice-Breaker Exercise • This exercise uses questons abou partcipans’ experiences wih crisis siuatons along wih more ligh-heared questons. • Sand up and Clap i you. . . . .”  Trav ravelled elled more han 5 minues oday o come here.  Have ever worked in a crisis seng.  Your avorie color is blue. 

Have ever lived in a place where here was crisis a good singer/dancer

 Are

 Have

you ever helped someone emotonally in a crisis siuaton

 Slep

well las nigh

 

Evaluaton • Please say… Wha wen well?  –  – Wha could have been beer?  – Wha did you learn (one hing) ha you will use in oering PFA?

THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK!