Most of us know about first aid.
Make sure someone is breathing, stop any major type of bleeding, and get that person to help.
But what about psychological first aid?
How do you help someone who is psychologically struggling?
We used to think after a crisis, trauma, or after someone was in a disaster they needed
to debrief, talk about the major details of the events they had gone through.
But research following 9/11 has challenged most of this thinking has opened us up to
a completely new perspective on dealing with grief and trauma.
We now know most people will recovery from major crises and setbacks on their own.
They don't need professional help.
In fact forcing people to debrief and talk about everything that's happened might actually
hurt them.
We also know that those classic stages of grief that we all used to believe in don't
actually happen.
But some people really do struggle after a crises and for them psychological first aid
can be really helpful.
Psychological first aid is an approach to helping people that's based on scientific
evidence.
It's something anyone can do.
It's not a treatment but like first aid it's designed to help people become stabilized.
Step 1: Safety, stabilize, and comfort.
It's normal to be in shock when you're in a crisis.
Maybe you're feeling like you're out of your body, or things aren't real.
You want to help the other person feel more present, there with you.
Ask them questions about where they are and their surroundings.
Maybe use some deep breathing to help the person feel more in control of their breath.
Muscle relaxation can also be helpful here.
Let the other person know it's normal to feel a wide range of emotions, to feel out of control,
all this stuff makes sense given the situation they're in.
We don't think clearly when we're hungry or dehydrated so make sure the person has had
food and is drinking water.
Step 2: Information and practical help.
It's hard to deal with problems when you're emotionally struggling, when you're in the
middle of a crises.
So here you want to get information on what are the challenges the person is facing and
help them to overcome them.
Maybe they need to book a plane ticket to get to family or make some types of arrangements
to get through the next few days.
Or maybe they need to get in contact with their clergy or spiritual help.
This is an opportunity for you to provide practical support.
The other person might not have a good understand of what's happened in the middle of this crisis
so if you have information about what's going on give it to them.
Just make sure you don't ask for details about the traumatic event the person has gone through.
There's no need for that and remember for some people that can make them feel worse.
Step 3:Socially Connect.
The number one thing that helps people heal from a trauma is connecting with the people
they're close to.
That means family, friends, coaches, teachers, their pets, community leaders, clergy, support
groups.
When we're alone, we ruminate, we think about things over and over again, we don't get that
important reality check that we need from other people.
Getting social support also sets into place long term support that the person is going
to need in the days and weeks to come.
Step 4: Encourage coping.
Making sure someone is having regular meals, getting to sleep, and getting regular activity
are critical elements of psychological first aid.
You also want to talk about ways people can deal with the power emotions that come up
in these situations, from anxiety to anger.
Help people identify ways of coping that work for them, like listening to soothing music,
doing exercise, reconnecting with hobbies, journaling, watching a movie or TV show that
helps them feel better, reading a book that distracts them for awhile.
Step 5: Connect with help.
If you're worried someone is at risk for hurting themselves, you want to connect them with
professional support.
Not sure if they're suicidal?
Ask them if they're having any suicidal thoughts, this isn't going to put the idea in their
head.
Even for people who aren't at risk for hurting themselves, if you just mention the idea of
going to a counselor or therapist this can help people down the road if they continue
to struggle and do need professional support.
If you want to learn more about psychological first aid, just look at the description below.
I put a lot of information in there, even ways in which you can get trained yourself.
Have you ever helped someone through a crisis and how do you cope with difficult situations?
Let me know in the comments below.
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