Psychological First Aid: Simple, yet powerful way of helping someone in distress

According to Dr Jason Wynter, counselling psychologist and lead MHPSS volunteer at the Jamaica Red Cross Society, learning psychological first aid skills and understanding reactions to crises, empowers helpers to help others and apply the same skills to their own lives.

Basic PFA he said involves looking at a situation to assess safety, listening to understand a person's needs and concerns, and linking them with practical help and social supports. 

“The goal is to reduce initial distress by providing a caring, supportive presence and helping people feel safe, calm, connected, hopeful, and empowered,” Dr Wynter said. 

Emotional distress is not always as visible as a physical injury, but is just as painful and debilitating. After going through a life altering experience, it is common to be affected emotionally.

“Everybody who experiences a disaster is touched by it and reactions manifest differently at different periods of time during and after the incident,” Dr Wynter said. 

Some common stress reactions include confusion, fear, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, sleep problems, physical pain, anxiety, anger, grief, shock, aggressiveness, withdrawal, guilt, shaken religious faith and loss of confidence in self or others.

While physical first aid is used to reduce physical discomfort due to a bodily injury, psychological first aid is a strategy to reduce the painful range of emotions and responses experienced by people exposed to high stress.

“PFA is not traditional psychiatric or professional mental health treatment, but rather a strategy to reduce stress reactions by providing additional support to those who have been affected by a traumatic or emergency incident,” Dr Wynter said. 

Look

• Assess for safety: First, identify any dangers and make sure the area is safe for yourself and the person in need.
• Observe immediate needs: Check for physical injuries and identify basic needs like food, water, or shelter.
• Note emotional responses: Observe how the person is reacting emotionally to the situation.

Listen

• Approach respectfully: Introduce yourself and ask for permission to help.
• Listen actively: Pay close attention without interrupting, and show you are listening through body language and gentle, appropriate touch if it feels right.
• Acknowledge feelings: Validate their emotions and respond with empathy, saying things like, "I'm so sorry this is happening".
• Ask about needs: Gently ask about their needs and concerns without pressure. 

Link

• Connect with loved ones: Help the person reunite with family and friends if possible.
• Provide information: Give clear, factual information about what happened or what resources are available.
• Offer practical assistance: Help with immediate problems, whether it's finding a service or tackling a practical issue.
• Connect with services: Help them connect with social supports or professional services if needed.

Dr Wynter was a guest presenter at the National Therapy Session: A Practical Coping Forum After Hurricane Melissa, hosted by NexxStepp Lifelong Educational Services. 

For More Information Contact:  Keisha A. Hill JP, Media Practitioner/Communications Consultant at keisha.hillconsultancy@gmail.com