Just A Flesh Wound

You need therapy! There was a time when psychology and counseling was viewed as a soft science and only sought by the wealthy.  Mental health was gravely misunderstood and the treatment of those who struggled with mental illness was more like torture tactics used before the Geneva Convention. We're still learning; but, thankfully we've come a long way.  One of those major steps is in the understanding of Psychological First Aid.  I'm going to explain these concepts so that people know better how to help someone who has experienced significant trauma. The core concept behind Psychological First Aid is in the name. First Aid. The psychological aid and care you give someone when they have just experienced a significant traumatic event. When someone has been exposed to significant trauma you have to quickly assess the situation and meet the person's needs where they're at. It's designed to "reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events and to foster short-term and long-term" healing. (Psychological First Aid Field Guide 2nd Edition, National Child Traumatic Stress Network). The research shows that it can help prevent the onset of PTSD. The focus is different than if you were trying to help somebody deal with a trauma that happened years ago.   The initial focus in Psychological First Aid is on Connecting and engaging with the person in a way that is non-threatening and as helpful as possible. Next, the focus turns to Safety and comfort.  When someone has just watched their home and all their possessions get burnt to the ground or a tornado level their entire town they need to feel as safe as possible.  They are disoriented and will be in shock.  They may need something as simple as a toothbrush, a shower, medical care and a hot meal. The third is to help them Stabilize emotionally.  This doesn't mean stifling their emotional response to a trauma.  This means helping them to de-escalate from the panicked and often hysterical, and I don't mean in the classic movie slap sort of way. Next is Gathering information to determine their more long-term needs.