Psych First Aid PPT 08052024 083611am

PSYCHOLOGICAL Getting through trauma
together….
FIRST AID
• Understand the psychological
impact of disasters and recognize
the common reactions in self and
others.
• Define the goal and core actions of

OBJECTIVES Psychological First Aid (PFA).
• Prepare to provide immediate

support to residents and co-
workers experiencing disaster-
related stress.
STRESS AND MODULE I
DISASTERS
WHAT IS A “DISASTER”?
Wide - scale emergency events that

have a severe impact on a community
DISASTERS -
•Traumatize large populations of people at once
•Can result in epidemics of survivor guilt and other psychological

symptoms
•Create chaotic environment
•Multiple stressors
•A smaller event that impacts just one household or person can be

a disaster for the survivors
For a community – depletion of resources and slow
recovery
For people –
IMPACT OF • Everyone who experiences a disaster is affected in some

way – Even the helpers!
DISASTERS • People pull together
• Stress and grief are common reactions to uncommon
situations
REACTIONS
• Some people will have severe reactions

following a disaster event
• Most people recover without professional

treatment
• Survivors often to do not seek or accept

help, especially from helpers from outside
the community
COMMON REACTIONS TO DISASTER STRESS
HOW LONG DO THESE
THOUGHTS AND
FEELINGS LAST?
• Most people exposed to disasters recover
fully from the psychological affects within
one year
• The most intense reactions will lessen over

the first few weeks
• If they persist over 4-6 weeks or are so bad

they impair functioning then professional
help is needed.
REACTIONS – Severe confusion, impaired
FACTORS thinking, distress that cant be calmed,
THAT MAY expressed thoughts of self harm or harm to
INDICATE others
THAT RISK – Those that lost a loved one, were
PROFESSION injured, believed they were going to die, or
AL HELP IS saw death of others, extreme community
NEEDED destruction
RESILIENCY- Lack good coping skills, has no
family support, has experienced other recent
“3 Rs” traumas prior to the disaster
CHILDREN AND ELDERS CAN BE
PARTICULARY SENSITIVE
To changes in their Separation from familiar

routine environments
Watch for delayed

Separation from familiar
reactions of several
people
hours to a few days
MODULE 1 QUIZ
1. All people are impacted by a disaster, even
those that come to the area help others.
• True/False
2. All people need professional mental health

services after a disaster experience
• True/False
MODULE 1 QUIZ
(cont.)
3. Common reactions after a disaster include:
a. Feelings of guilt, anger, hopelessness or a loss of control.
b. Difficulty sleeping, remembering, or paying attention
c. Headaches, digestive problems, dizziness, tightness in chest
d. All of the above
4. What does the “3 Rs” stand for?

a. Reactions, Risk factors, Resilience factors
b. Respect, Reassurance, Regular factors
c. Routine, Respect, Rest factors
d. None of the above
PSYCHOLOGICAL MODULE 2
FIRST AID
PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID (PFA)
Is an approach that:
• Eases suffering of disaster survivors: both

physical and emotional
• Improves survivors short term functioning
• Promotes emotional recovery after a disaster

event
THE GOAL OF PFA
Is to promote an environment of:
• Safety
• Calm
• Connectiveness
• Self-reliance
• Hope
• Helper self-care • Offer practical
CORE assistance
ACTIONS • Connect with survivors
OF PFA • Connect with social
supports
• Safety and comfort
• Info on coping
• Stabilization
• Link to collaborative
• Info gathering services
THE STRESS OF A
DISASTER EVENT IS
CONTAGIOUS
TO HELP OTHERS YOU

TAP INTO YOUR OWN
MUST MAINTAIN YOUR
SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO
HEALTH – PHYSICAL
MAINTAIN HOPE
AND EMOTIONAL
TAKE CARE
OF
YOURSELF!
TAKE BREAKS, LEAVE
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY
WHEN YOUR SHIFT IS
ROUTINE
DONE
KNOW YOUR LIMITS

AND GET HELP WHEN
NEEDED
MAKE A CONNECTION WITH
SURVIVORS
• Make the first move
• Intro self and ask permission to talk
• Ask about their immediate needs
• Present with an air of patience, compassion, and calm
• Respect their privacy by finding a quiet place to talk
• Don’t approach too closely or touch them if you are not familiar with
their cultural background or personal preferences
• Protect their confidentiality by sharing their info appropriately
• Make sure the environment is safe
• Help survivors meet their basic
immediate needs
• Offer physical comforts (food, water,
OFFER blanket, bathroom)
SAFETY AND • Ask about their needs for eye glasses,

medications, hearing aids
COMFORT • Protect them from additional trauma
and trauma reminders (sights and
sounds of danger, destruction or
suffering)
SEEK IMMEDIATE
PROFESSIONAL HELP
IF:
• The person states a desire to harm
themselves or others
• The person shows signs of shock:

• Clammy ashen skin
• Rapid breathing and pulse
• Nausea /vomiting
• Faintness, dizziness
• Extreme agitation
• Use a calm and soothing voice
• Give realistic reassurance

• What you are feeling is understandable
STABILIZATIO • We are here to help
N • Calming techniques include:

Calm and Orient •
•
Cool washcloth to forehead
Stretching, head roll
Survivors •
•
Clench and release fists
Focus on slow deep breaths
• Provide repeated, simple and accurate

information
• Rumors and the unknown increase stress
• Gather information for identification of their needs
• Find out the nature and severity of the disaster

INFORMATIO • Those that have been injured or witnessed injury or death are at
greater risk for a severe and prolonged distress reaction
N
• Ask “What are your immediate concerns?
GATHERING
• Listen carefully to identify their physical, medical,
emotional needs
INFO GATHERING
(Cont.)
• Don’t give simple reassurances like
“Everything will be ok”
• Listen in a patient and caring way
• Don’t pry or force people to share their stories

• Some people want to talk and some don’t
• Be patient, and come back a little later if
the survivor is not ready to talk
• Meet immediate physical needs if possible
• Clarify what they have told you about their
needs and concerns
• “So I heard you say that you are most
OFFER worried about….”
• Help them problem solve and develop an
PRACTICAL action plan for next steps
• Assist them in accomplishing those steps by:
ASSISTANCE • Connecting them with internal or external
resources
• Communicating their needs to appropriate
members of your team or community
CONNECTION WITH SOCIAL SUPPORTS
• Very important to recovery

• Help survivors contact their family, friends, clergy
• Sometimes they are reluctant to reach out to loved ones
• Don’t want to be a burden
• Embarrassed or feel guilty about needing help
• Help them to work through these concerns
• Assist them to contact a support person they trust when they are ready
Provide
Information
on Coping
“Its normal to feel this way…..”
Common Stress Reactions Following Disaster Events
Behavioral/Emotional Physical/Cognitive
• Disorientation/numbness • Headaches, stomach aches
• Grief • Difficulty sleeping/eating
• Feeling anxious and fearful • Exhaustion
• Bad dreams
• Despair/hopelessness
• Intrusive thoughts/images
• Feelings of guilt
• Difficulty concentrating,
• Feelings of anger remembering, making
• Isolation/withdrawl decisions
DO SAY DON”T SAY
EXPLAIN
THAT • “You are not going crazy” • “You should be feeling
better tomorrow”
THESE • “These kinds of reactions are
normal after going through • “Cheer up”
FEELINGS something like this” • “Maybe you better see a
• “I have some suggestions for doctor”
ARE techniques to help you feel • “What you need is…..”
more calm. Would you like to
NORMAL hear them?” • “I know what it is like”
• Deep slow breaths • Maintain a healthy routine
Coping • Focus on inhale/exhale • Rest
Techniques • Write in a journal
• Eat well
• Drink fluids
To Suggest • Talk to friends/loved ones
• Exercise
• Stretch exercises • Avoid drugs, alcohol,
• Listen to music or binge eating
• Reach out for spiritual • Set a small goal for
support each day related to
recovery actions and
• Warm bath or shower check off list when
• Make a list of recovery done
actions
Link to Collaborative Services
• Help survivors connect to services related to their needs

• Medical
• Financial
• Spiritual
• Recovery/replacement assistance related to loss
• Remember that for most people, PFA is enough

• Recognize those who need professional help with stress by using the “3 Rs”
MODULE 2 QUIZ
1. The purpose of PFA is to:
a. Prepare you to treat injuries after a disaster.

b. Enable you to persuade someone not to harm
themselves after a disaster.
c. Enable to you to provide comfort, care and
support to survivors of disasters.
d. None of the above.
2. Normal survivors are able to function just fine

once the disaster is over and they are safe.
• True/False
QUIZ Module 2
(cont.)
3. What are some examples of effective

coping techniques?
a. Rest sufficiently, eat well, drink fluids
b. Keep feelings to yourself, avoid
friends and loved ones
c. Focus on slow, deep breaths
d. Have a few alcoholic beverages
e. a and c.
PRACTICING
PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST MODULE 3
AID
BODY LANGUAGE
• DO
• Sit facing the person or beside
DO’S AND • Give eye contact
• Show attention by leaning forward
DON’TS • DON’T
• Sit back with folded arms
• Look around distractedly while person is
talking
• Leave while they are talking to you
What to Say
• Do say
• Can we talk about what happened?
DO’S AND • This must be difficult for you.
DON’Ts • Is there anything I can do for you
right now?
• Its normal to feel this way after
something like that.
• I am here to help you if I can.
What NOT to say
• I know what you are going through.

DO’S AND • Don’t feel so bad.
• You are strong and will get through
DON’TS this.
• Don’t cry, cheer up.
• Its God’s will.
• It could have been worse.
LEARNING ACTIVITY
– ROLE PLAY
• PICK A PARTNER
• ONE IS SURVIVOR AND ONE IS HELPER
• SWITCH ROLES FOR ROLE PLAY #2
• PRACTICE THE TECHNIQUES YOU HAVE
LEARNED
ROLE PLAY #1
This morning there was an earthquake that shook things off shelves,
caused the fire sprinklers to go off, and knocked out the power to your
facility. Several hours have passed and things have settled down but it is
starting to get dark. You notice one of the alert female residents
wandering around the halls and refusing to go into her room. Practice
the principles of PFA to calm and reassure this person.
ROLE PLAY #2
There was a fire at a nearby nursing home that killed two residents and
forced all to evacuate. Your facility has accepted five emergency admits
from the burned facility. One of these admits is a male resident whose
roommate was killed in the fire. You see him in his wheelchair in the
corner of the dining room weeping quietly and muttering to himself.
Practice the principles of PFA to calm and comfort him.
A few minutes into the conversation he tells you “I can’t take all this
trouble anymore. I just want to die”.
What is your next step?

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PSYCHOLOGICAL Getting through trauma

• Define the goal and core actions of

• Prepare to provide immediate

Wide - scale emergency events that

•Can result in epidemics of survivor guilt and other psychological

•Create chaotic environment

•A smaller event that impacts just one household or person can be

IMPACT OF • Everyone who experiences a disaster is affected in some

• Some people will have severe reactions

• Most people recover without professional

• Survivors often to do not seek or accept

• The most intense reactions will lessen over

• If they persist over 4-6 weeks or are so bad

To changes in their Separation from familiar

Watch for delayed

2. All people need professional mental health

4. What does the “3 Rs” stand for?

• Eases suffering of disaster survivors: both

• Improves survivors short term functioning

• Promotes emotional recovery after a disaster

TO HELP OTHERS YOU

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

SAFETY AND • Ask about their needs for eye glasses,

• The person shows signs of shock:

• Give realistic reassurance

STABILIZATIO • We are here to help

N • Calming techniques include:

• Provide repeated, simple and accurate

• Find out the nature and severity of the disaster

• Listen in a patient and caring way

• Don’t pry or force people to share their stories

• Very important to recovery

• Help survivors connect to services related to their needs

• Remember that for most people, PFA is enough

1. The purpose of PFA is to:

a. Prepare you to treat injuries after a disaster.

2. Normal survivors are able to function just fine

3. What are some examples of effective

• I know what you are going through.

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