LESSON 4 (Part 1) Practicing the Art of PFA.pdf

Practicing
the Art of
PFA (PART 1)
DISASTER AND MENTAL HEALTH
Reported by: Sofia Cary G. Ramirez

Psychological First Aid
-is an evidence-informed approach that is
built on the concept of human resilience. PFA
aims to reduce stress symptoms and assist in
a healthy recovery following a traumatic
event, natural disaster, public health
emergency, or even a personal crisis.

CONTENT SYNOPSIS
Establishing Rapport and Reflective Listening
- The Practice of Presence
- Empathy and Rapport
- The Empathic Cascade: The Bridge from Rapport to Adherence
- Historical Development
- Mechanisms of Action Demonstration in the R in the RAPID
Model
Assessment (Listening to the Story)
- Screening
- Appraisal
- Cognitive, Emotional, Behavioral, Spiritual, and
Physiological Indicators.
- Demonstration of the A in the RAPID Model

Establishing Rapport
and Reflective
Listening
1. The Practice of Presence
To effectively practice presence, responders need to have:
Mindfulness Techniques:
- Breathing Exercises: Simple deep-breathing techniques to stay calm
and centered.
- Grounding Exercises: Methods like focusing on physical sensations
(e.g., feeling the ground under your feet) to stay present.

To effectively practice presence, responders need to have:
Attentiveness:
- Eliminate Distractions: Ensure all electronic devices are turned off or
silenced.
- Focused Attention: Make a conscious effort to concentrate fully on the
individual.
Active Listening:
- Paraphrasing: Repeating what the person says in your own words to
show understanding.
- Reflective Statements: Comments like “It sounds like you’re feeling...” to
reflect their emotions.
- Nods and Verbal Affirmations: Small nods or verbal cues like “I see” or
“Uh-huh” to indicate you are listening.

2. Empathy and Rapport
Building empathy and rapport involves:
- Open Body Language:
- Posture: Lean slightly forward to show interest and engagement.
- Hand Gestures: Use open gestures rather than crossing arms or hands.
Eye Contact:
- Consistent but Natural: Maintain eye contact without staring; break eye
contact naturally.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of cultural norms regarding eye contact.
Validation:
- Acknowledgement: Phrases like “I understand this is difficult” or “Your
feelings are valid”.
- Empathic Responses: Responses that show empathy, such as “I can see
how that would be upsetting.”

3. The Empathic
Cascade: The
Bridge from
Rapport to
Adherence
The process involves:
Empathic Listening:
- Deep Listening: Not just hearing words, but
understanding the underlying emotions and
needs.
- Non-Judgmental Attitude: Avoiding any form
of judgment or criticism.
Building Trust:
- Consistency: Being reliable and following
through on promises.
- Transparency: Being honest about what you
can and cannot do to help.
Promoting Adherence:
- Encouragement: Positive reinforcement when
they take steps toward improvement.
- Clear Communication: Explaining
interventions and supports clearly and simply.

4. Historical Development
Understanding the History of Psychological First Aid
(PFA)
Evolution
Origins: PFA emerged from a need to
address the mental health impacts of crises.
Early applications were in:
Disaster response: Following major
disasters like earthquakes and floods,
responders recognized a need to support
the emotional well-being of survivors
beyond just physical needs.
Military settings: Helping soldiers cope
with the psychological impact of combat
experiences.
1)

(PFA)
Expansion: PFA's effectiveness and focus on
early intervention led to its adaptation for
broader use in:
Mental health crises: Providing support for
individuals experiencing acute emotional
distress due to personal tragedies,
accidents, or violence.
Community settings: Schools, workplaces,
and community organizations are
incorporating PFA training to better
support individuals experiencing emotional
difficulties.

(PFA)
Milestones
Key Events:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
recognition: The identification of PTSD as a
mental health condition increased the need
for interventions that could prevent its
development.
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
limitations: Early approaches like CISD
were found to have limited effectiveness
and might even be harmful. PFA emerged
as a more supportive and evidence-based
alternative.

(PFA)
Milestones
Key Events:
Specific Crises: Following large-scale
events like 9/11 or natural disasters,
specific PFA models were developed to
address the unique needs of those
situations (e.g., the RAPID model).

(PFA)
Research and Evidence:
Studies have shown the positive impact of PFA in:
Reducing PTSD symptoms: Early intervention
with PFA can help individuals process their
experiences and cope in a healthy way,
potentially lowering the risk of developing PTSD.
Promoting resilience: PFA equips individuals
with skills to manage their emotions and
navigate difficult situations, fostering resilience.
Improving overall well-being: PFA can lead to
better mental and emotional well-being in
individuals experiencing distress.

RAPID Model
Conceptualization: The RAPID model (Refuge, Assess,
Prioritize, Intervene, Disposition) arose from the
need for a structured, easy-to-remember approach to
delivering PFA.
It provides a step-by-step framework for responders
to assess the situation, prioritize needs, offer
appropriate support, and ensure proper referrals
when necessary.
This model is particularly helpful in chaotic
situations where resources might be limited.

5. Mechanisms of Action Demonstration in the R in the RAPID Model
Establishing rapport includes:
Techniques:
- Initial Contact: Approach with calmness and assurance.
- Introduction: Introduce yourself and explain your role clearly.
First Impressions:
- Professionalism: Dress appropriately and maintain a professional demeanor.
- Warmth: Use a warm tone of voice and friendly mannerisms.
Building Connection:
- Finding Common Ground: Identify and discuss any commonalities or shared
experiences.
- Empathic Statements: Use language that shows empathy and understanding
of their situation.

Assessment (Listening
to the Story)
Screening
1.
Appraisal
2.
Cognitive, Emotional, Behavioral,
Spiritual, and Physiological Indicia
3.
Demonstration of the A in the RAPID
Model
4.

Screening involves:
Efficiency:
- Quick Assessments: Using brief, focused questions to identify
immediate needs.
- Prioritizing: Determining the most urgent issues to address first.
Tools:
- Checklists: Using standardized checklists for common symptoms
and needs.
- Structured Questions: Questions like “Can you tell me what
happened?” or “What are you feeling right now?”.
Identifying Needs:
- Immediate Concerns: Identifying any immediate physical or safety
needs.
- Emotional State: Assessing current emotional distress levels.
1. Screening

2. Appraisal
Appraisal is more comprehensive:
In-depth Assessment:
- Narrative: Allowing the individual to share their story in their own
words.
- Detailed Questions: Probing deeper into their experiences and
feelings.
Comprehensive Gathering:
- Contextual Information: Understanding the broader context of their
situation (e.g., family, community).
- Resource Needs: Identifying what resources or supports they may
need.
Impact Assessment:
- Short-Term Impact: Immediate psychological and physical effects.
- Long-Term Impact: Potential longer-term effects and needs for
ongoing support.

3. Cognitive, Emotional,
Behavioral, Spiritual, and
Physiological Indicators

Cognitive:
- Confusion: Difficulty understanding what happened or what is
happening.
- Disorientation: Losing sense of time or place.
- Concentration: Problems with focusing or remembering things.
Emotional:
- Anxiety: Signs of excessive worry or panic.
- Fear: Expressions of fear or feeling unsafe.
- Sadness: Indicators of depression or profound sadness.
- Anger: Signs of irritability or anger.
Behavioral:
- Withdrawal: Social withdrawal or isolation.
- Hyperactivity: Increased restlessness or agitation.
- Aggression: Outbursts or aggressive behavior.

Spiritual:
- Faith Loss: Expressions of losing faith or spiritual distress.
- Existential Questions: Asking deep questions about meaning and
purpose.
- Seeking Meaning: Trying to make sense of the crisis in a larger
context.
Physiological:
- Fatigue: Physical exhaustion or lack of energy.
- Pain: Complaints of physical pain without clear medical cause.
- Appetite Changes: Significant changes in eating habits.
- Sleep Changes: Problems with sleeping, either too much or too
little.

4. Demonstration of the A in the RAPID Model
The A in RAPID stands for Assessment:
Structured Approach:
- Frameworks: Using structured frameworks to guide assessment.
- Consistency: Ensuring that assessments are consistent and thorough.
- Thorough Assessment:
- Holistic View: Considering all aspects of the individual's life and
well-being.
- Individualized: Tailoring the assessment to the specific person and
their unique situation.
Relevant Information:
- Critical Data: Gathering information that is most relevant to the
current crisis.
- Actionable Insights: Focusing on insights that can inform immediate and
longer-term interventions.

LESSON 4 (Part 1) Practicing the Art of PFA.pdf

LESSON 4 (Part 1) Practicing the Art of PFA.pdf

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