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What is psychological first aid? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

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  SPEAKER_00: What is psychological first aid?
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  SPEAKER_00: Psychological first aid is a way of supporting someone during or shortly after a crisis, traumatic event, or critical incident.
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  SPEAKER_00: You can think of it as emotional and practical first aid.
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  SPEAKER_00: The aim isn't to provide a therapy or to make somebody process what has happened.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's to help them feel safer, less overwhelmed, and more connected with the support and resources they need.
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  SPEAKER_00: After a frightening or distressing event, the nervous system may remain in a heightened state of threat.
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  SPEAKER_00: Someone may feel panicked, confused, numb, tearful, agitated, or unable to concentrate.
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  SPEAKER_00: Others may appear surprisingly calm.
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  SPEAKER_00: There isn't one correct response to a crisis.
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  SPEAKER_00: One of the first principles of psychological first aid is safety.
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  SPEAKER_00: That means checking whether the person is physically safe and whether there are any immediate medical safeguarding or other urgent needs.
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  SPEAKER_00: Those take priority over trying to talk about emotions.
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  SPEAKER_00: The next step is often simply being present.
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  SPEAKER_00: Speak calmly.
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  SPEAKER_00: Introduce yourself if necessary and ask what the person needs.
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  SPEAKER_00: Rather than saying, tell me exactly what happened, you might ask, what would be most helpful for you right now?
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  SPEAKER_00: Listen if they want to talk, but don't pressure them to describe or repeatedly revisit the event.
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  SPEAKER_00: People process traumatic experiences differently, and immediately encouraging detailed emotional disclosure isn't the purpose of psychological first aid.
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  SPEAKER_00: Practical help could be surprisingly important.
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  SPEAKER_00: Someone may need water, somewhere quieter to sit, help contacting a family member, information about what is happening next, or support accessing medical or professional services.
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  SPEAKER_00: Connections matter too.
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  SPEAKER_00: Where appropriate, help the person identify trusted people they can be with or contact.
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  SPEAKER_00: Social support can provide reassurance and reduce the sense of facing the situation alone.
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  SPEAKER_00: You can also help someone focus on the immediate next step rather than everything that might happen afterwards.
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  SPEAKER_00: When people are overwhelmed, simple choices and clear information can help restore a small sense of control.
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  SPEAKER_00: Psychological first aid doesn't require you to diagnose somebody's reaction or promise that everything will be fine.
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  SPEAKER_00: It involves offering calm, compassionate and practical support while respecting the person's dignity, choices, and individual response.
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  SPEAKER_00: If somebody remains significantly distressed following an incident, professional psychological or medical support may be appropriate.
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  SPEAKER_00: And if there is immediate danger, serious injury, risk of suicide or self-harm, risk to somebody else, or the person cannot be kept safe, seek urgent professional or emergency assistance.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the immediate aftermath of a crisis, you don't have to find the perfect words.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the most helpful response is to help somebody feel safe, listen without pressure, and make sure they aren't facing what comes next entirely on their own.