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Understanding Psychological First Aid: Supporting Mental Health in Crises
Written by Aakifa Shafeer
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an effective tool to help individuals cope with stress. It emphasizes mindfulness, active listening, and careful attention to how individuals react. When necessary, it also provides practical support to address immediate needs. Understanding how people respond to crises allows helpers to apply PFA skills effectively in their own lives (Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub, 2019).
Social support plays a vital role in recovery after exposure to traumatic events. PFA is not a form of counseling and does not require clinicians to provide it. Instead, it consists of structured guidelines designed to aid individuals following trauma. PFA helps restore safety, supports decision-making, and encourages the rebuilding of relationships (Lifelines Scotland, n.d.).
Core principles of PFA
“The goal of Psychological First Aid is to create and sustain an environment of:
1) Safety
2) Calm & Comfort,
3) Connectedness,
4) Self-Empowerment, and
5) Hope (Minnesota Department of Health, 2022).”
Why is 'who' important?
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Certain models of Psychological First Aid are designed specifically for children, older adults, and people with special needs. Other PFA frameworks focus on building resilience among first responders and professionals working in hospitals and public health who are directly involved in disaster response.
Stress First Aid (SFA), on the other hand, is designed for emergency responders and military personnel who may be exposed to potentially traumatizing missions. Any assessment must clearly identify the target population so that Psychological First Aid or Stress First Aid can be adapted to best meet their needs. (Shultz, J. M., & Forbes, D., 2013).
The objectives of the PFA
Offering practical assistance to handle immediate issues and basic needs is composed of four steps:
- “Identifying the most immediate needs.”
- “Clarify the need.”
- “Discuss and action plan.”
- “Act to address the need” (National Center for PTSD & National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2020).
Practical applications of PFA
Outbreaks such as SARS, Ebola, and COVID-19 caused significant stress among healthcare workers and the general public. PFA has been shown to help both groups manage stress and anxiety, offering early psychological support and reducing distress. During the Ebola outbreak in Liberia and Sierra Leone, international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), trained healthcare and community workers to provide timely psychological interventions. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, PFA played a key role in addressing the rising psychological distress caused by social and economic challenges (Shah et al., 2020)
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a practical, evidence-informed approach that reduces distress and promotes resilience in crises. Its effectiveness across outbreaks like SARS, Ebola, and COVID-19 highlights its vital role in supporting both healthcare workers and affected communities. Ongoing training and integration of PFA into emergency responses are essential for protecting mental well-being in future crises.
References
Lifelines Scotland. (n.d.). Post-trauma support: Providing psychological first aid (PFA). https://www.lifelines.scot/post-trauma-support-providing-psychological-first-aid
Minnesota Department of Health. (2022, October 3). Psychological first aid (PFA). https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ep/behavioral/pfa.html
National Center for PTSD & National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (2020). Practical assistance. In Psychological First Aid (PFA). Relief Central. https://relief.unboundmedicine.com/relief/view/PTSD-National-Center-for-PTSD/1230004/all/Practical_Assistance
Shah, K., Bedi, S., Onyeaka, H., Singh, R., & Chaudhari, G. (2020). The Role of Psychological First Aid to Support Public Mental Health in the COVID‑19 Pandemic. Cureus, 12(6), e8821. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8821
Shultz, J. M., & Forbes, D. (2013). Psychological First Aid: Rapid proliferation and the search for evidence. Disaster health, 2(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.4161/dish.26006
