Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, or forest fires do not only cause physical destruction, but also leave profound psychological impacts on survivors. The loss of homes, property, livelihoods, and even loved ones often shakes a person’s sense of safety and hope. In crisis situations like these, many survivors experience emotional reactions such as fear, deep sadness, confusion, anger, and feelings of helplessness. These reactions are normal responses to abnormal events.

Disasters Cause Psychological Impacts

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that attention to mental health in emergency situations is an essential part of humanitarian response. In its official guidelines, WHO states that people affected by disasters are more vulnerable to stress and distress; however, most can recover naturally if they receive adequate basic psychosocial support. This statement underscores that presence, attention, and early support play a significant role in the recovery process of survivors.

Psychological First Aid

One globally recommended approach to provide such early support is Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is a form of first aid that addresses psychological aspects in a humane, supportive, and practical manner. This approach is not intended to be therapy or clinical counseling, but rather an initial support to help individuals cope with the immediate impacts of traumatic events.

WHO defines PFA as a humane, supportive, and empathetic response to people who are suffering and in need of help. PFA focuses on empathetic presence, active listening, and efforts to help meet survivors’ urgent needs, both emotionally and practically. This approach does not aim to explore traumatic experiences in depth, but rather to help survivors feel safe, heard, and not alone. In this way, PFA serves as an initial foundation before more specific psychological or psychiatric interventions are required.

PFA Can Be Provided by Anyone

It is important to understand that PFA is not only delivered by mental health professionals. WHO emphasizes that PFA is designed to be used by various parties involved in disaster response, including health workers, volunteers, field officers, teachers, community leaders, security personnel, and even fellow survivors. As long as they have basic understanding and an empathetic attitude, anyone can provide PFA as a form of humanitarian support.

Basic Principles of PFA

In principle, PFA aims to protect, calm, and support survivors. Protecting means helping ensure that survivors are in safe conditions and protected from further threats. Calming means helping reduce the intensity of emotional responses so survivors are not overwhelmed by the situation they face. Supporting means helping meet basic needs and connecting survivors with available resources and assistance.

Steps of PFA

In practice, WHO formulates PFA into three core steps known as the Look, Listen, and Link approach.

1. Look

Observing the situation and condition of affected individuals. At this stage, responders or volunteers pay attention to environmental safety, identify urgent needs, and recognize individuals or groups showing signs of severe distress. Special attention should be given to vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and individuals with certain health conditions.

1. Listen

Listening to survivors with empathy. Listening in PFA is done without pressure and without judgment. Survivors are not forced to recount their traumatic experiences, but are given a safe space to share their feelings if they wish. Validating survivors’ feelings is an important part of this stage, as it helps them understand that their emotional reactions are normal and understandable.

1. Link

Helping connect survivors with relevant forms of support. This support may include medical services, shelters, logistical assistance, family tracing services, or social support from the surrounding community. Linking also means helping survivors obtain clear and accurate information and plan small steps in the near future, so they can regain a sense of control over their lives.

Do’s and Don’ts in PFA

WHO also emphasizes that there are things that should be done and things that must be avoided when implementing PFA. Responders or volunteers are encouraged to be honest, protect privacy, respect local culture and beliefs, and uphold the dignity of survivors. Conversely, making false promises, providing misleading information, or blaming survivors for their emotional reactions should be avoided, as these can worsen their psychological condition.

Most stress reactions that emerge after disasters are normal responses to abnormal situations. With appropriate basic psychosocial support, many survivors can recover naturally over time. However, PFA also plays an important role in identifying conditions that require further referral to professional care, such as risk of self-harm, persistent severe confusion, or inability to carry out basic daily functions.

Ultimately, the main goal of Psychological First Aid is to help survivors regain a sense of safety, dignity, support, and empowerment. WHO summarizes this goal by stating that PFA aims to reduce initial distress and foster adaptive functioning in both the short and long term. Through a simple yet empathetic approach, Psychological First Aid becomes a vital part of mental health and psychosocial support in disaster situations, reminding us that amid physical destruction, caring for and restoring the human spirit is an equally important humanitarian responsibility.

References

1. World Health Organization, War Trauma Foundation, & World Vision International. (2011). Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers. World Health Organization.
2. World Health Organization. (2013). Building Back Better: Sustainable Mental Health Care After Emergencies. World Health Organization.
3. Inter-Agency Standing Committee. (2007). Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. Inter-Agency Standing Committee.