Like regular first aid, [psychological first aid] PFA is a way of helping someone in pain—except rather than cleaning or bandaging a cut or applying ice to a sprained ankle, you tend to someone’s anxiety or distress in a way that will ease it and help restore a sense of equanimity. ~ Stacy Colino, AllHealth Network, Colorado Spirit
Lauren, a cashier at a small grocery store, was tasked with locking up one night. Just before closing time, a man with a gun forced her into the women’s bathroom, punched her in the face, stepped on her glasses, and told her not to leave the room or she’d be shot. She didn’t have her phone with her, so she stayed there for several hours until she felt safe enough to come out and call the police. A bystander offered Lauren some water and a snack and sat with her until they arrived.
Lauren experienced a trauma. People who experience this type of heightened distress react in different ways and may need help coping with the situation.
What is Psychological First Aid?
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a set of skills that can help people who have experienced a trauma better cope with their situation. PFA is not formal counseling and does not need to be performed by a licensed professional. It can be used by anyone who wants to help in a trauma situation.
PFA consists of eight core components:
- Make eye contact with the person.
- Assure them they are safe and help make them comfortable. Offer a blanket or jacket or find a place where they can sit or lie down.
- Offer calm words of reassurance (you’re safe now, help is on the way).
- Identify immediate needs, such as food, water, warmth.
- Offer practical assistance. Call loved ones. Help them find their phone/purse, etc.
- Connect them with resources.
- Link them with needed services, such as the police or a shelter.
- Help provide coping strategies. Remind them to breathe deeply or think of something calm.
Look, Listen, Link
According to the Psychosocial Centre of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, PFA involves three basic principles: look, listen, and link.
Look for:
- information on what is happening or has happened
Listen actively:
- approach someone gently but with confidence
- introduce yourself
- pay attention to the person’s words, actions, and body language
- talk about what has happened using facts in a clear, concise way
- accept others’ feelings
- calm the person
- listen to their concerns
Link by helping people:
- connect them with loved ones or social support
As each situation is different, you may not need to do all of the things listed above, but you may need to do some of the things more than once. For example, if someone has been in a car accident, call 911. Ask the person if they are okay and offer to call a loved one. Stay with them until help arrives. Offer water or a blanket if needed.
According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a person’s most basic needs should be addressed first before moving up the ladder to more complex needs. Offer a snack and some water. Find them a place to sit down or rest. Assure them they are safe. After these primary needs are addressed, they’ll be better able to cope.
PFA is often used by first responders in a large-scale tragedy but can be used by anyone helping another person immediately after a trauma. The goal of PFA is to reduce a person’s distress by meeting practical needs, connecting them with family, friends, and services, and offering hope during a difficult time.
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