By: Kelsey Wooten, LPC
What is Psychological First Aid?
Definition: Being able to provide psychological assistance to anyone who is experiencing distress from mental illness, a trauma event, or crisis. Anyone can provide this once they have gotten more information or done some training.
Why we need this: Over the course of our lives we will know someone who will struggle with mental health or experience a crisis. Just like physical first aid it is helpful to know how to help in the moment.
What it’s not: Psychological first aid is not providing counseling or a substitute for professional help. They are tools to help you comfort someone during a hard time, until professional help can be available.
Do’s:
– Being aware of a person’s culture / beliefs
– Treating the person with dignity and respect
– Be honest about facts
– Encourage them to get help
– Respect their confidentiality
Steps:
– Find a quiet and confidential space
– Sit a comfortable space apart
– Use active listening skills (be present, maintain eye contact, be aware of body language, paraphrase to show understanding, ask open-ended questions, validate their experience)
– Focus on them and their experience
– Remain calm
– Provide factual information when needed
– Find what their strengths are and use them
– Identify ways to cope (deep breathing, distraction, grounding exercises, supportive people)
– Ask them what they need
– Help them find services (counseling, other services) and/or basic needs (housing, food, medical care)
– Believe them
Dont’s:
– Pressure them to discuss things they don’t want to
– Ask before touching them
– Avoid giving advice or trying to solve their problems
– Don’t start talking about others or make things about yourself
– Don’t make promises you can’t keep
– Don’t pity them, or downplay their experience or sense of autonomy
**Remember to take care of yourself before, during, and after helping someone who is in crisis! Secondary trauma can happen. Seek support or counseling for yourself.
More information on psychological first aid and training:
(PDFs available)
World Health Organization
National Center for PTSD