1-PFA definition and history

Psychological First-Aid:

According to the Sphere Project (2011) and IASC (2007), Psychological First Aid (PFA) describes a humane, supportive response to someone who is suffering and may need support.

It involves:

• Providing non-intrusive, practical care and support. • Assessing needs and concerns. • Helping people to address basic needs (food and water, information). • Listening to people, but not pressuring them to talk. • Comforting people and helping them to feel calm. • Helping people connect to information, services and social supports. • In the case of Ebola disease, information is vital: those providing PFA can help • to dispel myths, share clear messages about healthy behavior and improve • One's understanding of the disease. • Protecting people from further harm.

PFA is not:

• It is not something that only professionals can do. • It is not professional counseling. • It does not necessarily involve a detailed discussion of the event that caused the distress (as in “psychological debriefing”). • It is not asking someone to analyze what happened to them or to put time and events in order. • It is not about pressuring people to tell you their feelings and reactions to an event but rather being available to listen to people.

Overall, PFA involves helping people to:

• Feel safe, connected to others, calm and hopeful. • Have access to social, physical and emotional support. • Feel able to help themselves, as individuals and communities.

Figure: the place of PFA in overall mental health and psychological response.