Psychological First Aid: An Australian Guide

More documents

Recommendations

Info

14 Psychological First AidWho deliverspsychologicalfirst aid?Psychological first aidshould be delivered byappropriate agencies aspart of state, regional/district or local emergencymanagement plans.This means responses can be undertakenin a coordinated manner, and thatpsychosocial support can be provided asa key part of the emergency response.In Australia, this could include: healthand allied health professionals, teachersand other education professionals,members of the clergy and otherfaith-based organisations, Red Crosspersonal support volunteers and othertrained responders from communityorganisations, and local government staff.The principles of psychological firstaid, however, also mean that it canbe offered by a wide variety of peoplein the community – from emergencypersonnel to neighbours and volunteers– in addition to trained responders.Psychological first aid is a humane,supportive and practical responseto people who have been exposedto serious stresses and may needsupport 11 . Most people responding toan emergency are able to provide thistype of assistance, comfort and supportto people in distress 12 . The principles ofpsychological first aid are, therefore, animportant grounding for all emergencypersonnel responding to an emergency.While their primary focus will be onresponding to the emergency, thesepeople are usually the first contactsurvivors have with the ‘system’, andthey have an important role to play inassisting in safe and effective ways thatpromote recovery.It is useful to differentiate betweengeneral psychological and personalsupport and the way all emergencyresponders help in responsibleways – ways that respect the dignityand capacity of survivors –, andpsychological first aid as a servicedelivered by trained responders whoseprimary role is to protect and promotemental health and psychosocialwellbeing.11For more information see IASC 2007.12For more information see WHO 2010.
An Australian Guide 15
Page 1: Psychological First AidAn Australia
Page 4 and 5: 02 Psychological First AidAcknowled
Page 7 and 8: An Australian Guide 05IntroductionE
Page 9 and 10: An Australian Guide 07“Psychologi
Page 11 and 12: An Australian Guide 09Who benefitsf
Page 13 and 14: An Australian Guide 11
Page 15: An Australian Guide 13Promote calm
Page 19 and 20: An Australian Guide 17What psycholo
Page 21 and 22: An Australian Guide 19Core skills a
Page 23 and 24: An Australian Guide 21In order to p
Page 25 and 26: An Australian Guide 23ReferencesACP
Page 27 and 28: An Australian Guide 25Substance Abu

Psychological First Aid: An Australian Guide

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?