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CARLOTA MELENDEZ

HOW T

O GIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL

FIRS AID (PFA)

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The roots of PFA can be found in literature of 1950s aboutcrisis intervention and traumatic stress, written by the AmericanPsychiatric Association Committee on Civil Defense, outlinedmany of the basic premises used in more formal PFA training.

In 1977, the association added some basic approaches to shorttime interventions.

In 2006, disaster literature continues to support PFA, promotingsafety, and giving help to return a sense of control to individuals.

Nowadays after crisis like 9/11, early mental health interventionsfor disaster survivors received increased attention.

ORIGINS OF PFA

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Is an evidence-informed approach that is built on the concept ofHUMAN RESILIENCE (The ability to recover quickly fromillness, change, or misfortune). PFA aims to reduce stresssymptoms and assist in a healthy recovery following a traumaticevent, natural disaster, public health emergency , or even apersonal crisis.

WHAT IS PFA?

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DO YOU REMEMBER???

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HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A

SITUATION LIKE THIS WITH A

FRIEND OR RELATIVE???

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EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IS NOT ALWAYS ASVISIBLE AS PHYSICAL INJURY, BUT IT JUST AS

PAINFUL AND DEBILITATING.

WELL . . .

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I learned PFA skills from my profesors in the National PsychiaticHospital (Soyapango), during that time i was a Psychiatricresident, and those skills were part of my training as apsychiatrist.

HOW I LEARN PFA?

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Psychological first aid addresses basic needs and reduces psychological distressby providing a caring comforting presence, and education on common stressreactions, like:

Confusion Fear

Feelings of hopelessness

Sleep problems

Anxiety Anger

Grief

Guilt, etc.

WHY DID I LEARN TO GIVE PFA?

PFA help me to help others!!!

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When i was starting to give PFA it was very easy to make mistakes, so i had to

learn by experience the DON TS of PFA:

Dont make false promises or give false information.

Dont exaggerate my skills.

Dont be intrusive or pushy.

Dont judge people for their actions or feelings.

Dont share the perons story with others.

WHAT WAS THE STRUGGLES I

EXPERIENCED WHEN I LEARNING IT?

You have tobe careful!!

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WHO Children, adolescents, adults, elders, families, and communities who

have been exposed to a traumatic or emergency incident.

WHY Because help people to deal with problems, address basic needs, give accessto services and connect people with loved ones and social support.

WHERE It can be used in any settings, PFA can be provided anywhere that traumasurvivors can be found (shelters, schools, hospitals, private homes, workplace,etc.)

WHEN As soon as survivor is safe in a calm place, and he/she agree to do it.

WHO/WHY/WHERE/WHEN I USE

THIS SKILL TODAY?

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PFA is a tool that each of us can use to reduce ourstress level. By understanding your stress reactions, and

using PFA principles, you can enhance resilience inyourself, your family and community.

WHY I RECOMMEND THAT OTHERS LEARN IT?

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STEPS TO CONSIDER OBJECTIVES

1. Make the psychologicalcontact

You have to make people feel understanding, aceptance, andsupport. Try to decrease the emotional shock. Try to make theusual mecanisms of problem solutions active again.

2. Consider all problemdimensions

You have to consider the past, present and future of people youretrying to help in order to priorize the desicions they have to taketo solve their own needs.

3.Analyze posiblesolutions

Identify one or more posible solutions for the inmediate needs.

4. Help to make it

happend

Execute the solutions they dicided to use. If the individual have

high risk, be directive and contact with family, friends or peoplewho can help (doctors, counsellors, etc.) If the individual have lowrisk, give orientation, but let them make the main decitions andgive orientation.

5. Following Identify if the solutions make good results, make agreements tocontact again with the people.

HOW TO DO IT?

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Look Listen Link

HOW TO DO IT?

SELF EMPOWERMENT / HOPE

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Some people will need more than PFA alone. Knowyour limits and ask for help from others who can

provide medical or other assistance to save life.

PEOPLE WHO NEED MORE THAN

PFA ALONE

HELP!!!!!!!

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I REALLY HOPE THIS CAN BE

USEFULL FOR YOU!!!

ANY QUESTION???