MHM Magazine

Why Psychological First Aid? Previously, when faced with a person who had just experienced a trauma, healthcare workers were encouraged to engage in debriefing with the person. Evidence now suggests that this approach could be more harmful than helpful, as it over-consolidates the painful and new memory in the person’s mind and can even lead to increased rates of PTSD in the aftermath of a trauma. This phenomenon is due to stress hormones remaining too active during the direct aftermath, and debriefing efforts becoming toxic in effect and leading to poorer outcomes. Instead, it is recommended that Psychological First Aid be the first port of call following traumatic situations. Psychological First Aid is a baseline, evidence-informed support for patients who present in a crisis. It provides coping skills and fundamental support during times of extreme stress. Within our context, we come across many such individuals, who may have just experienced a traumatic situation. This isn’t the time to provide deeper therapeutic theory and practices, as the person is likely still in fight-or-flight mode and requires more of a brief intervention. Psychological First Aid can be done by anyone and is not only for professionals or mental healthcare professionals. It’s not the same as professional psychotherapy or counselling, and doesn’t rely on psychotherapeutic skills. Psychiatric or psychological training is not needed, although it does form the first step in a person’s journey with these resources. Patients can often feel better over the long term if they feel safe and connected to others following a trauma, with access to different types of support, including physical and emotional support. This type Christina Pereira Clinical Psychologist Johannesburg info@christinapereira.co.za PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID FOR PATIENTS IN CRISIS Issue 1 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 29 MHM