Psychological First Aid

Question 1

Common reactions of 6-12 y.o. children After a disaster

Answer 1

Confusion
Withdrawal from social contact
Repeated talks about the event
Reluctance to go to school
Fear
Excessive worrying
Becoming clingy
Inability to concentrate
Sleep and appetite problems
Self-blame and guilt
Somatic complaints
Regressive behaviours
Easily startles
Agitation
Inability to relax

Question 2

IMPORTANCE OF
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

Answer 2

*Not everyone is traumatized by
a disaster
*For most survivors, these
stress symptoms should
diminish over time and majority
will recover traumatic events
*However, if not helped, a
certain population may develop
post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
*Psychosocial support is
important in helping people
deal with a traumatic event and
help them recover bette

Question 3

THE MHPSS INTERVENTION PYRAMID

Answer 3

1. Basic services and security
2. Community and Fam Support
3. Focused (person2person) non-specialized services
4. Specialized Services

Question 4

2 PHASES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL RECOVERY

Answer 4

1. Emergency Psychosocial Support (0to3months)
   -PFA
   -grieving rituals, relief items
   -safe space for children
   -community rebuilding
   -immediate response
2. Recovery Intervention (3 months to 3 years)
   -clubs
   -life skills
   -prepare for disaster

Question 5

an evidence-informed
intervention model to assist
students, families, school
personnel, and school
partners in the immediate
aftermath of an emergency

Answer 5

psychological first aid (PFA)

Question 6

it is designed to reduce the initial distress caused by emergencies and to foster short-and-long-term adaptive functioning and coping

Answer 6

PFA

Question 7

PFA is not…

Answer 7

➤Professional counseling
➤ Psychological/stress debriefing (No detailed discussion of the distressing event)
➤ Asking people to analyze what happened or put time and
events in order
➤ Not pressuring people to tell you their feelings of
reactions to an event (although it involves being available
to listen to people’s stories

Question 8

Why learn about Psychological First Aid

Answer 8

➤because as part of the local government unit, we are
interacting directly with the survivors from the
community.
➤ because there are a lot of survivors but there are only few mental health professionals in the Region.
➤ because not all survivors are comfortable talking about
their concerns with a psychologist
because even if we are not mental health
professionals, there is something we can do to help the
survivors.
➤ because some of us are survivors, too, and we need to
know how we can help ourselves.

Question 9

WHY DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE PFA TO
OUR CHILDREN?

Answer 9

Schools are typically the first government agencies
to resume operations after a disaster or an
emergency. It can become a primary source of
community support during and after the incident.
—It is important for school staff to be prepared for
emergencies.
—Emergencies affect children’s academic and social
achievement.
Trauma-related distress can have a long-term impact
if left untreated

Question 10

PFA IS FOR
WHOM?

Answer 10

Very distressed people who were recently exposed to a serious
stressful event.
Can be provided to adults and children
Not everyone who experiences a crisis event will need or want
PFA.
—-Don’t force help on those who don’t want it, but make yourself
available and easily accessible to those who may want
support

Question 11

PFA WHEN?

Answer 11

During or immediately after an event
However, it may be days or weeks after depending on how severe it is

Question 12

PFA WHEre?

Answer 12

In a safe location
Can be health center,
shelter, camp, school,
evacuation site
Ideally, where there is
privacy

Question 13

PRINCIPLES in
PROVIDING PFA

Answer 13

Respect safety, dignity and rights
Adapt what you do to take into
account culture
Be aware of other emergency
response measures
Look after yourself

Question 14

BEFORE
CONDUCTING PFA

Answer 14

Wherever possible BEFORE you enter a crisis site, try toobtain accurate information so you can be safe and effective.
#Learn about the crisis event.
#Learn about available services and supports.
#Learn about safety and security concerns

Question 15

HOW DO WE DO PFA?
PRINCIPLES 3L

Answer 15

Look
Listen
Link

Question 16

LOOK

Answer 16

 Check and ensure safety
 Look for people with obvious basic needs
 Check for people with serious distress reactions or
those who need stabilisation
 Seem especially distressed, confused, and/or in shock
 Approach children who may need support
 Put yourself at eye level and look at them in the eyes
 Speak calmly, slowly
 Introduce yourself
 If the parent is present, ask permission to talk to child
 If the child is very affected, talk to parent
 Stay close but do not pressure person to talk
 Listen in case they want to talk

Question 17

SIGNS IF YOUNG children who NEED STABILISATION

Answer 17

Staring blankly, Unresponsive, Displaying behaviours they had
outgrown (e.g., urinating in
inappropriate places, sucking
one’s thumb), Screaming, Crying or sobbing uncontrollably, Hyperventilating, Moving in an agitated way, Hiding, Clinging excessively

Question 18

LISTEN

Answer 18

 Help children address basic needs and access services; give information
 Help children cope with problems
 Identify supports (family and friends)
 Ask children how they coped with difficult situations in the past and affirm
their ability to cope in current situation
 Ask them what makes them feel better
 Give practical suggestions to help them meet their needs

Question 19

DO not say

Answer 19

I know what you feel.
It was probably for the best.
You need to relax.

Question 20

Link

Answer 20

LINK : CONNECTING WITH
SOCIAL SUPPORT
SOCIAL SUPPORT is an
important component of
emotional well-being and
recovery following
emergencies.
Can come in many forms:
 Emotional support
 Social connection
 Reassurance of self-worth
 Reliable support
 Advice and information
 Physical assistance
 Material assistance

Question 21

SKILLS IN CONDUCTING PFA FOR CHILDREN

Answer 21

Knowledge about what
children’s reactions to trauma
Knowledge of Psychological
First Aid
Knowledge/Ability to provide
practical help
Ability to stay calm and
focused
Empathic listening skills
Communication skills
Problem solving skills
Self-care

Question 22

Also called Active listening or Reflective
listening; Ability to put yourself in the shoes of
another to truly understand where they are
coming from

Answer 22

empathic listening

Question 23

Empathic Listening

Answer 23

Through empathic listening, you are also
able to convey the message that you are
interested in what the person has to say, are
not judging them and understand what they
are saying
 Two components: verbal and non-verbals
(attending skills)

Question 24

ATTENDING

Answer 24

 Giving psychological attention
 Positive face and head movements
 Open hand and arm movements
 Non-distracting body movements
 Eye contact
 Proper orientation and spacing of the body
 Encouragers: Nods, Uh –huh, I see, Ahh..
 Pay attention to non-verbals of person

Question 25

EMPATHIC LISTENING SKILLS

Answer 25

 Mirroring
* Repeating back what child is saying

 Paraphrasing (Listening for Content)
* Restating what the child said in your own words

 Clarifying
* Requests for more information to gain
understanding of content (What do you mean when
you said?)

 Reflecting (Listening for Feelings)
* Identifying the feelings of the child even when it
may not be directly articulated

 Summarising
* Synthesizing what the child is saying

Question 26

PFA MAY BE DELIVERED in small groups