PFA (PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID)

∙ Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a method to help

others feel safer and more connected during times
when people feel stressed, worried, anxious or
fearful.
∙ These feelings are usually brought about by
situations such as natural and manmade disasters
(earthquakes, floods, fire, volcanic eruptions, war)
or by pandemics or medical emergencies (WHO et
al, 2011).
 Activity: Graphing Feelings

• Using a clean sheet of manila paper, create a graph of feelings or

emotions that you have or may have had during the pandemic that you
experienced by shading the graph. (individual & by group)
• On the x-axis, write down each of the feelings/emotions.
• The y-axis represents the percentage of time that you were feeling
that way.
• Rate each feeling/emotion based on how much or how often you
would feel that way over the past 17 months
 My Emotions
(Presentation time!)
100

75

50

25

worried scared angry numb

COMMON
REACTIONS TO
STRESSFUL
EVENTS
Common Reactions to Stressful Events
∙ feel anxious brought about by uncertainty
of the future.
∙ feel intense or prolonged grief for not being
able to wake.
∙ may experience changes in their relationships
with other people.
∙ may also start taking risks, engage
in self-destructive behavior, have
avoidant behavior, and become aggressive.
∙ may feel guilty and anxious having been
separated from their loved ones due to lockdown
What Helps and What
Doesn’t Help
What Helps
* Talking to another person for support or
spending time with others
* Engaging in positive distracting activities
(sports, hobbies, reading)
* Getting adequate rest and eating healthy meals
* Trying to maintain a normal schedule
* Scheduling pleasant activities
* Taking breaks
* Reminiscing about a loved one who has died
What Helps
* Focusing on something practical that
you can do right now to manage the situation better
* Using relaxation methods (breathing exercises,
meditation, calming, self-talk, listening to music)
* Participating in a support group
* Exercising in moderation
* Keeping a journal
* Seeking counseling
What Doesn’t Help
* Using alcohol or drugs to cope
* Extreme withdrawal from family or friends
* Overeating or failing to eat
* Withdrawing from pleasant activities
* Working too much
* Violence or conflict
• Source: Brymer et al., 2012
What Doesn’t Help
* Doing risky things (driving recklessly, substance
abuse, not taking adequate precautions,
impulsive
buying)
* Extreme avoidance of thinking or talking about
the event or a death of a loved one
* Not taking care of yourself
* Excessive TV or computer games
* Blaming others
 w ay
A
e
Tak ssage
Me
My feelings toward this
pandemic/disaster/
stressful event are
normal and valid.
Others may also feel the same way.
EXCITED STRESSED

HAPPY SAD

GRATEFUL CONFUSED

BLESSED AFRAID

BORED
APPLICATION (1/2 crosswise)

Today we learned that our reactions to the

pandemic, to any stressful event/disaster
are normal and valid.
How can you apply this learning to your life
especially because the pandemic is not yet
over?
 What do I What are the
usually do to
STRESS actions that can
help manage make me feel
or get rid of this better?
feeling?
By 4 (Same groupings as with Module 1)
REACTIONS/ FEELINGS WAYS THAT HELP YOU MANAGE THOSE HEALTHY ( / )
FEELINGS UNHEALTHY ( X )
STRESS

Are my actions in
coping with stress ,
healthy or unhealthy?
 3 Easy and Healthier Ways of Coping With
Our Feelings

1. Count backwards
3 Easy and Healthier Ways of Coping With
Our Feelings

Pause Acknowledge
Think Help
 3 Easy and Healthier Ways of Coping With
Our Feelings

2. Mindful Breathing
 3 Easy and Healthier Ways of Coping With
Our Feelings

3. Reframing
SELF CARE
PHYSICAL SELF - CARE
PROFESSIONAL SELF CARE

Take time
to help
Consult your
your colleague
head/boss
PSYCHOLOGICAL/ MENTAL SELF CARE

Reconnect with love

Creative ones
journaling
SPIRITUAL SELF CARE
Take Away
Message
I can manage my
own emotions and
I am able to bring
myself to calm
down.
APPLICATION

As a way to close this session, do you know that people who do

yoga close the sessions by saying “Namaste.” Namaste is a word
that means “bow to you”. People in India use it to say hello or to
bid each other goodbye.

Can you think of a short phrase that you can share with the class
now to show our appreciation for being with them during online
classes? What would be a good phrase or word?

Possible answers are “thank you, “ “kamusta,” “good vibes,”

GROUP 1- Hospital Perform a role
GROUP 2- BFP play where
these listed
GROUP 3- PNP
offices are
GROUP 4- CDRRMO (City Disaster Risk needed.
Reduction and Management Office)
Everyone must
GROUP 5- CSWD (City Social Welfare and
Development Office) have a role.
GROUP 6- (Barangay Health Emergency
Response Teams
GROUP 7- Punong Barangay
GROUP 8- Psychologist/Psychiatrist
LIST OF EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS AND INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION CONTACT NO. CONTACT
AND ADDRESS PERSON
Hospital
BFP
PNP
CDRRMO (City Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Office)
CSWD (City Social Welfare and
Development Office)
BHERT (Barangay Health Emergency
Response Teams
Punong Barangay

Psychologist/Psychiatrist
 Junior
H igh S
09237 chool
45 5 2 0
4

h S c h o o l
ni o r H i g 4
Se 6 8 5 3 0 1 4 5
1 - 0 9
Grade 1 6 85 3 0 1 2 1 0
1 2 - 0 9
Grade
APPLICATION: Perform a role
GROUP 1- Hospital play where
GROUP 2- BFP these listed
GROUP 3- PNP offices
GROUP 4- CDRRMO (City Disaster Risk responded
Reduction and Management Office) immediately.
GROUP 5- CSWD (City Social Welfare and Also, show its
Development Office) positive results.
GROUP 6- (Barangay Health Emergency
Response Teams
GROUP 7- Punong Barangay
GROUP 8- Psychologist/Psychiatrist
ANG SARANGGOLA KO,
AT AKO!
 ANG SARANGGOLA KO,
your sources AT AKO!
of strength
what or who acts like
the wind for you Who or what
helps you soar

Makes
you strong
 Ang saranggola ko
at ako Parehong-pareho
Ako ay Matatag, Sya rin ay Matatag
Ako ay di Babagsak, sya din
ay di babagsak
Tangayin man ng hangin
Hinding hindi matitinag!
 I am strong because I can
rely on my inner strength
and because I have
people around me who
support me.

Take Away Message

.
APPLICATION (1/4)

The next time you feel weak, what can you focus on
in order to remind yourself that you have several
sources of strength?
Reference: DepEd MHPSS Session Guide
The 2020 PFA Modules Supplemental to the SEES