Psychological First Aid: Essential Support After Crises

What is psychological first aid?

When someone gets injured, they often turn to someone trained in first aid for immediate help. First aid is crucial because it provides quick, essential care that can prevent a condition from worsening and support recovery. Similarly, psychological first aid (PFA) is vital for helping people cope after a crisis.

A disaster or traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, accident, or act of violence, can leave people feeling overwhelmed, fearful, or emotionally numb. A crisis affects individuals differently, causing distress that may impact their thoughts, emotions, and ability to function.

Psychological first aid offers practical assistance and emotional support to those affected. It is provided in the immediate aftermath of a crisis to help people feel safe, heard, and supported (World Health Organization et al., 2011). Unlike counseling or therapy, PFA does not involve diagnosing or treating mental health conditions. Instead, it focuses on immediate comfort, safety, and connection to further resources if needed (Wang et al., 2021).

While some may require long-term professional care, PFA ensures disaster survivors receive compassionate support during the most critical early moments. It can be given during or right after a crisis, though in some cases, it may come days or weeks later, depending on the severity and duration of the event.

The great thing is anyone, including volunteers and the general public, can provide psychological first aid and it is not just for professionals. Many people naturally use PFA skills, such as active listening, offering nonjudgmental support, and calming those in distress (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, 2019). As long as one approaches it with empathy, patience, and a willingness to help, one can play a vital role in supporting someone through a crisis.

What are the goals of psychological first aid?

PFA helps people cope with the initial distress caused by crises and traumatic experiences. It is a crucial part of disaster response, ensuring that individuals receive compassionate support to stabilize their emotions and begin recovering. Specifically, it aims to:

Help reduce initial distress

One of the primary goals of PFA is to reduce initial distress by offering comfort and reassurance to those experiencing common stress reactions after a crisis. People may feel anxious, disoriented, or emotionally overwhelmed, and PFA helps provide a sense of stability. By listening without judgment and offering practical support, PFA allows individuals to feel safer and more in control.

Support emotional reactions and coping

People affected by crises often experience intense emotional reactions, including fear, sadness, anger, or shock. PFA helps individuals recognize that these feelings are normal and provides strategies to manage distress in healthy ways. By encouraging adaptive coping skills, PFA prevents emotional struggles from escalating into more severe conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Promote long-term adaptive functioning

While PFA is not a substitute for mental health treatment, it plays a crucial role in promoting long-term adaptive functioning. By addressing traumatic stress early, it helps individuals regain a sense of normalcy and continue with daily activities. This early support reduces the likelihood of long-term psychological difficulties and encourages resilience.

Connect people with disaster relief organizations and resources

After a crisis, many individuals need more than emotional support. They also require basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care. Through PFA, disaster response workers help people connect with disaster relief organizations that can provide these essential services. Whether it's guiding someone to a shelter or linking them with disaster health resources, PFA in the context of disaster mental health ensures that people receive the comprehensive help they need.

How to conduct psychological first aid?

Conducting PFA is about providing calm, compassionate support to someone struggling after a crisis. The process follows three key action principles: Look, Listen, Link.

Look: Pay attention to the situation and the person’s needs

Before stepping in to help, take a moment to look at what’s happening around you. Assess the safety of the environment, check for urgent physical needs, and observe how the person is reacting. Are they injured? Do they seem withdrawn, overwhelmed, or confused? By being aware of common stress reactions, you can better understand what kind of support they may need.

Listen: Offer a calm presence and hear them out

Once you’ve assessed the situation, the next step is to listen. People affected by crises often need someone who can provide a supportive space without pressuring them to talk. Let them share as much or as little as they want, acknowledge their feelings, and avoid giving quick fixes or advice. Simply being present and showing you care can help reduce initial distress.

Link: Connect them with helpful resources

PFA isn’t just about offering emotional support—it’s also about linking people to the right help. After a crisis, people often feel lost or unsure of what to do next, and practical assistance can make a big difference. Your role is to help them access the resources they need to regain stability.

Linking includes helping people access information, such as where to find shelter, food, or medical care. It also means assisting them in connecting with loved ones and social support, since being with family or friends can be a crucial source of comfort. Additionally, you can support them in tackling practical problems, like transportation issues, lost documents, or housing concerns.

Main takeaways

Psychological first aid is all about offering calm, compassionate support when people need it most. You don’t have to be a therapist to make a difference. Just listen, be present, and help connect them to the right resources.

When offering PFA, honesty and respect matter. Let people make their own choices, keep their information private when appropriate, and never judge their feelings or actions. Be kind, avoid pushing them to talk or accept help, and never take advantage of your role. The key is to be calm, kind, and respectful, ensuring people feel heard, supported, and empowered to take the next steps toward recovery.

References

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support. (2019). A short introduction to psychological first aid for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. https://pscentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PFA-Intro-low.pdf

Wang, L., Norman, I., Xiao, T., Li, Y., & Leamy, M. (2021). Psychological first aid training: A scoping review of its application, outcomes, and implementation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094594

World Health Organization, War Trauma Foundation, & World Vision International. (2011). Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/44615/9789241548205_eng.pdf