Question
Psychological First Aid
On June 24, 2023, an unfortunate incident occurred in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, when a Russian missile destroyed the top floors of an apartment complex. In response, the city’s emergency services swiftly mobilized first response teams, including medical, fire, and rescue specialists. Interestingly, one of these teams comprised specialists trained in psychological first aid.
A member of the Coast Guard wades through deep water after a flood.
Figure 1. In addition to traditional disaster response teams, people trained in psychological first aid are prepared to reduce the potential for long-term trauma by providing safety, and promoting calm, connectedness, self-efficacy, and hope.
Upon arrival at the scene, the first responders were confronted with a partially demolished building and disoriented individuals searching for their loved ones or struggling to come to terms with the magnitude of the devastating event they had just experienced. Many had witnessed death and gruesome injuries, while others faced the anguish of missing family members, uncertain of their fate.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is a psychological response to exposure to emotionally disturbing or life-threatening incidents. Acute traumatic responses can manifest during or shortly after an overwhelming event, and they may be followed by chronic disturbance in an individual’s overall well-being, affecting their mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-known example of a chronic response, accompanied by other conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, compromised immune system responses, and substance abuse.
If you have ever been present at the site of a disaster or emergency, such as a devastating hurricane, war zone, assault, school shooting, or serious traffic accident, you know that the injuries extend beyond physical harm. Trauma can also be inflicted by abuse, neglect, oppression, and social isolation. Any event that surpasses an individual’s coping capabilities has the potential to elicit a traumatic response.
The Role of Psychological First Aid
In the case of the Ukraine disaster, the psychology team provided essential assistance, such as helping people locate water, food, and shelter. They guided individuals to available aid sources and convinced some who were unaware of their own serious injuries to seek medical attention. For others, the team offered a listening ear, encouragement, and empathy. They also helped individuals gather information about the condition of their family members and friends.
While medical aid and physical rescue are vital in emergency situations, responses that integrate psychological insights can significantly impact the immediate coping and long-term recovery of the victims. Although extensive research on the effectiveness of these emergency response protocols is still ongoing, psychologists are optimistic that psychological first aid surpasses previous methods, which involved urging individuals to discuss and process the traumatic event at the scene.[1] Organizations like the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Red Cross have established best practices and implemented training programs for both first responders and the general public.
Key Guidelines for Psychological First Aid
Here are some fundamental goals and guidelines for those providing psychological first aid:
Promote SAFETY: Ensure immediate needs are met and remove individuals from dangerous or stressful situations.
Promote CALM: Enable people to regain composure and understand that emotional responses can vary greatly.
Promote CONNECTEDNESS: Help people reconnect with their support systems and discover available resources, while respecting cultural diversities.
Promote SELF-EFFICACY: Empower individuals to regain control by making informed decisions and solving problems.
Promote HOPE: Offer a positive yet realistic outlook, reassuring victims that their current emotional turmoil is normal but temporary.
By following these principles of psychological first aid, individuals affected by traumatic events can receive the necessary support to cope effectively and embark on a path to healing and recovery. of their own lives as quickly as possible. Help them make their own choices, solve problems, and set priorities. Provide them with the information and support needed to function effectively.
Bell, Vaughan (11 May 2013). "Minds traumatised by disaster heal themselves without therapy". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 July 2023 ↵
Show Text
The fact that psychological first aid is utilized to help people in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events best coincides with which APA theme?
Integrative Theme F. Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways.
Integrative Theme C: Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes.
On June 24, 2023, an unfortunate incident occurred in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, when a Russian missile destroyed the top floors of an apartment complex. In response, the city’s emergency services swiftly mobilized first response teams, including medical, fire, and rescue specialists. Interestingly, one of these teams comprised specialists trained in psychological first aid.
A member of the Coast Guard wades through deep water after a flood.
Figure 1. In addition to traditional disaster response teams, people trained in psychological first aid are prepared to reduce the potential for long-term trauma by providing safety, and promoting calm, connectedness, self-efficacy, and hope.
Upon arrival at the scene, the first responders were confronted with a partially demolished building and disoriented individuals searching for their loved ones or struggling to come to terms with the magnitude of the devastating event they had just experienced. Many had witnessed death and gruesome injuries, while others faced the anguish of missing family members, uncertain of their fate.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is a psychological response to exposure to emotionally disturbing or life-threatening incidents. Acute traumatic responses can manifest during or shortly after an overwhelming event, and they may be followed by chronic disturbance in an individual’s overall well-being, affecting their mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-known example of a chronic response, accompanied by other conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, compromised immune system responses, and substance abuse.
If you have ever been present at the site of a disaster or emergency, such as a devastating hurricane, war zone, assault, school shooting, or serious traffic accident, you know that the injuries extend beyond physical harm. Trauma can also be inflicted by abuse, neglect, oppression, and social isolation. Any event that surpasses an individual’s coping capabilities has the potential to elicit a traumatic response.
The Role of Psychological First Aid
In the case of the Ukraine disaster, the psychology team provided essential assistance, such as helping people locate water, food, and shelter. They guided individuals to available aid sources and convinced some who were unaware of their own serious injuries to seek medical attention. For others, the team offered a listening ear, encouragement, and empathy. They also helped individuals gather information about the condition of their family members and friends.
While medical aid and physical rescue are vital in emergency situations, responses that integrate psychological insights can significantly impact the immediate coping and long-term recovery of the victims. Although extensive research on the effectiveness of these emergency response protocols is still ongoing, psychologists are optimistic that psychological first aid surpasses previous methods, which involved urging individuals to discuss and process the traumatic event at the scene.[1] Organizations like the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Red Cross have established best practices and implemented training programs for both first responders and the general public.
Key Guidelines for Psychological First Aid
Here are some fundamental goals and guidelines for those providing psychological first aid:
Promote SAFETY: Ensure immediate needs are met and remove individuals from dangerous or stressful situations.
Promote CALM: Enable people to regain composure and understand that emotional responses can vary greatly.
Promote CONNECTEDNESS: Help people reconnect with their support systems and discover available resources, while respecting cultural diversities.
Promote SELF-EFFICACY: Empower individuals to regain control by making informed decisions and solving problems.
Promote HOPE: Offer a positive yet realistic outlook, reassuring victims that their current emotional turmoil is normal but temporary.
By following these principles of psychological first aid, individuals affected by traumatic events can receive the necessary support to cope effectively and embark on a path to healing and recovery. of their own lives as quickly as possible. Help them make their own choices, solve problems, and set priorities. Provide them with the information and support needed to function effectively.
Bell, Vaughan (11 May 2013). "Minds traumatised by disaster heal themselves without therapy". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 July 2023 ↵
Show Text
The fact that psychological first aid is utilized to help people in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events best coincides with which APA theme?
Integrative Theme F. Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways.
Integrative Theme C: Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The fact that psychological first aid is utilized to help people in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events best coincides with **Integrative Theme C: Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes.**
This theme emphasizes the interplay of various factors that affect mental health and behavior, which is directly relevant to the implementation of psychological first aid during traumatic events. The practice acknowledges not only the psychological impacts of trauma but also considers the biological responses and social connections that can aid in recovery. By addressing these interconnected factors, psychological first aid aims to promote healing and resilience among individuals affected by trauma.
This theme emphasizes the interplay of various factors that affect mental health and behavior, which is directly relevant to the implementation of psychological first aid during traumatic events. The practice acknowledges not only the psychological impacts of trauma but also considers the biological responses and social connections that can aid in recovery. By addressing these interconnected factors, psychological first aid aims to promote healing and resilience among individuals affected by trauma.