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Psychological First Aid: Now More Than Ever
The road to Logos is paved with Pathos…
Whether it’s grief, a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, coronavirus or something else — knowing how to offer effective help to people in traumatic situations can go a long way in ensuring they return to life in a safe and sustainable way. That being said, responding in a structured and useful way may not be your first response, and therefore becoming acquainted with techniques to deliver Psychological First Aid is really important.
According to the World Health Organisation, almost all people affected by emergencies will experience psychological distress (e.g. sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, fatigue, anger, physical pain, difficulty sleeping). Effective intervention immediately post-disaster can help to reduce the number of people whose mental health deteriorates in the following days, weeks, and months.
What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)?
PFA is the globally recommended way to support people in the immediate aftermath of an emergency by delivering psychosocial care. It is designed to be used by the community, in order to reduce the reliance on imported mental health professionals in the initial recovery period.
