Psychological First Aid: An Australian Guide

An Australian Guide 13Promote calm• Stabilise people who areoverwhelmed or disoriented.• Provide an environment, as faras practical, that is removed fromstressful situations or exposure tosights, sounds and smells of theemergency.• Listen to people who wish to sharetheir stories and emotions, withoutforcing them to talk.• Remember that there is no rightor wrong way to feel.• Be friendly and compassionate evenif people are being difficult.• Offer accurate information aboutthe disaster or trauma and the reliefefforts underway to help survivorsunderstand the situation.Promote connectedness• Help people contact friendsand loved ones.• Keep families together.• Keep children with parents or otherclose relatives whenever possible.• Help establish contacts with supportpeople (friends, family or communityhelping resources).• Respect cultural norms regardinggender, age and family structures.Promote self-efficacy• Engage people in meeting theirown needs.• Assist with decision making, help themto prioritise problems and solve them.• Reassure people that their feelingsare normal.Promote help• Find out the types and locations ofgovernment and non-governmentservices.• Provide information and direct peopleto those services that are available.• Link people with available services.• When they express fear or worry,remind people (if you know) that morehelp and services are on the way.• Offer practical help to people to addressimmediate needs and concerns.• Provide information on stressand coping.Promote hope• Convey expectancy that peoplewill recover.• Be there/be willing to help.