Psychological First Aid

mental health · helping others · emergency response · stress

Created for emergencies. Psychological first aid was developed in 2006 by experts who study how traumatic events affect people's brains and emotions, especially kids.

Helps prevent long-term problems. By giving people the right kind of support immediately after a scary event, psychological first aid can help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder, which is when scary memories keep bothering someone for a long time.

Used by helpers worldwide. Major organizations like the Red Cross, the American Psychological Association, and emergency response teams all use psychological first aid to help people during and after disasters.

Focuses on feeling safe. The main idea is to help people feel secure, connected to others, and hopeful by listening to them and providing practical support when they need it most.

Built by many experts. More than 25 disaster mental health researchers worked together intensively to create psychological first aid, making sure it actually works.