What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)?
It is a technique for providing support and care to a person who has just experienced crisis situation like – been involved in or witnessed an accident, terrorist attack, death of a loved one or suicide to help them deal with and recover from the traumatic event. Providing a helping hand in time can prevent the person from getting traumatized, his/her functioning getting disrupted, keep a check on maladaptive coping methods like excessive use of drugs or alcohol, or even taking an extreme step like attempting suicide.
Who can provide PFA?
Usually it is done by mental health professionals, rescue volunteers, disaster management workers but it would be good if teachers, medical practitioners, health care providers and religious organizations also learn this so that the service providing group expands and more people can be professionally assisted in dealing with crisis in an appropriate manner. Anyone who is trained in PFA can provide it and help the affected person function and cope better.
