Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Psychological support given to ease the uneasy state (social and mental) caused by various events (natural and man-made) immediately after the event is called Psychological First Aid. Psychological first aid should be given to children, adolescents, adults, parents or caregivers and older people who have been through emergencies (natural- earthquakes, flood, landslides or manmade – conflict, violence or other life threatening events) and are feeling unsafe, dilemma, unstable or terrified. Psychosocial problems during emergencies if addressed on time can prevent severe mental disorders and more risks. This book tries to answer questions like how to work in emergencies, what kind of support can be provided to decrease the risk during emergencies and which problems need to be focused more.

This book was published in two phases: in 2010 as Primary Psychological Support (narrative-based) and revised in 2012 as Psychological First Aid (picture-based) by TPO Nepal, supported by UNICEF Nepal.