Psychological First-Aid

A Community Support Model

1
◼ Psychological and mental health first aid is
understood differently by different people in the
mental health professions and the general public

2
Psychological First-Aid
Psychological first aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed
modular approach to help children, adolescents,
adults and families in the immediate aftermath of
disaster and terrorism.

A set of skills that helps community residents care for

their families, friends, neighbors, and themselves by
providing basic psychological support in the
aftermath of traumatic events.

3
Our aim is that every member of the general
public can:

◼ Learn how to provide basic psychological and

mental health first aid- so that they can provide
support to distressed individuals in the same
way as they do in physical health crises
◼ Address the stigma associated with mental ill-
health so that dignity is promoted and respected
◼ Empower people to take action to promote
mental health

4
◼ Spread understanding of the equal importance
of mental and physical health and their
integration in care and treatment
◼ To work with individuals and institutions to
develop best practice in psychological and
mental health first aid
◼ To provide culturally sensitive learning
materials to increase the skills of the general
public in administering psychological and
mental health first aid.

5
PFA involves the following themes:
◼ providing practical care and support, which
does not intrude;
◼ assessing needs and concerns; helping people to
address basic needs (for example, food and
water, information)
◼ listening to people

◼ helping them to feel calm; helping people

connect to information, services and social
supports;
◼ protecting people from further harm.
It is also important to understand what PFA is
not:
◼ It is not something that only professionals can do.
◼ It is not only professional counselling.
◼ It is not “psychological debriefing” in that PFA does not
necessarily involve a detailed discussion of the event that
caused the distress.
◼ It is not asking someone to analyze what happened to
them or to put time and events in order.

7
Basic Objectives of Psychological First Aid
◼ Establish a human connection in a non-intrusive,
compassionate manner.
◼ Enhance immediate and ongoing safety and physical
and emotional comfort.
◼ Help individuals relay their immediate needs and
concerns and gather additional information as
appropriate.
◼ Offer practical assistance and information to help
individuals.
◼ Connect individuals to social support networks as soon
as possible.

8
◼ Support adaptive coping, acknowledge coping efforts
and strengths, and empower individuals; encourage
students, faculty and staff to take an active role in their
own recovery.
◼ Provide information that may help individuals cope
effectively with the psychological impact of large-scale
crises or traumatic events.
◼ Be clear about your availability and, when appropriate,
link individuals to services and resources on campus
and in the community.

9
The Action Principles of PFA (WHO, 2011)
Prepare • Learn about the crisis event
Learn about available services and supports
Learn about safety and security concerns

10
PFA : Who, when and where?

11
 Who is PFA for?

◼ PFA is for distressed people who have been recently

exposed to a serious crisis event. You can provide help
to both children and adults.

◼ However, not everyone who experiences a crisis event

will need or want PFA. Do not force help on people who
do not want it, but make yourself easily available to
those who may want support.

12
People who need more immediate advanced support:
◼ people with serious, life-threatening injuries who need
emergency medical care
◼ people who are so upset that they cannot care for
themselves or their children
◼ people who may hurt themselves

◼ people who may hurt others

13
When is PFA provided?
◼ You can provide PFA when you first have contact with
very distressed people.
◼ This is usually during or immediately after an event.
However, it may sometimes be days or weeks after,
depending on how long the event lasted and how severe
it was.

14
Service Users and Carers

• Mental health is a matter of increasing importance to all

of us
• Patients and carers should be at the center of all aspects
of healthcare provision and work to improve the
availability, accessibility and quality of treatment for all
mental health problems
• All of us share the same fundamental goal to maximize
our well-being

15