Psychological First Aid - Shahnaz Rahman

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Gujarat Digital Academy for Mental Health in collaboration with NIMHANS and ECHO India conducted a special session on 30th March 2020 for “Training on Psychological First Aid” for Counsellors and Psychologists, during COVID-19 pandemic. The resource person was Dr. Mukesh Patel and the session was an initiative by the Government of Gujarat.


The session highlighted the difference between tragedy and disaster. A disaster is an unfortunate consequence where there is great damage or loss of life and there is a complete failure as we can see in the current scenario. Developed nations are also not being able to manage the situation. Often times we prepare ourselves to manage a disaster when it is approaching us or manage the situation after the disaster already took place. But with COVID-19 we are in the disaster and the world is witnessing something that it has never witnessed before.

§  The impact of the disaster can be personal, on a family level, social, economical and existential.
§  Determinants of the impact are ego strength (ability to deal with any kind of stress), emotional support, financial support, knowledge and experience.
§  Stages of a disaster- shock, denial, psychological disturbances, bargaining and acceptance
§  On a community level there can be rumours, rebellion, philanthropy, riots and acceptance

Intervention


1. Basic needs- Fulfilment of basic needs like food, clothing and shelter is absolutely necessary otherwise counselling will not be effective
      2.  Safety and security- Safety of the infected person, family and neighbours is crucial.
3. Love and Belonging- Human beings are social animals and it is very crucial for them to have face to face interaction. However, during the lockdown period people are forced to stay indoors which can create a deprivation of the love and belonging needs. People can however still stay in touch through mobile calls, internet and video calls.
4. Correct information- A lot of rumours are creating panic and stress among many people. It is important to check the amount of information a person is receiving, whether the information is reliable, to check the source of news, exposure and distortion of the information.
5. Teaching mature defenses –
§  Sublimation- Channelizing or redirecting one’s energy into creativity
§  Humour- Lightening the current situation with something funny
§  Asceticism
§  Altruism- Helping others in this time
§  Suppression
6. Acceptance
§  Behaviour
§  Belief
§  Hope
§  Relationship
§  Activities
7. Integration-
§  Need experts- Physicians, Psychiatrist
§  Rescuers- Psychologists
§  Supporters- Social Workers
§  Assistants- Counsellors
§  Volunteers- NGOs

Disclaimer: The present document highlights the important points discussed by Dr. Mukesh Patel and summarized by Ms. Shahnaz Rahman.

Ms. Shahnaz Rahman
Rehabilitation & Counselling Psychologist
CRR No- A47815


Image courtesy: https://www.canadian-training.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/4-L-logo-PFA-300x258.png


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