What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Psychological first aid consists of essential skills designed to help you navigate and cope with distressing situations and events. These skills can be applied to manage your own challenges or to support others in distress, enabling them to better understand and handle their experiences.

The primary goal of psychological first aid is to alleviate the initial distress someone feels following a difficult event. It addresses a person’s immediate and practical needs, such as finding temporary shelter if they've been displaced or helping them reach out to family or other support.

This approach involves guiding someone in distress to manage their situation effectively, empowering them to make informed decisions and adapt to the challenges they face. Psychological first aid includes recognizing when someone is struggling and taking appropriate action to assist them. The specific steps you take will vary depending on the circumstances and the individual’s needs, making each situation unique.