Transcript Psychological First Aid: Supporting People in a Disaster
In Times of Crisis:
Supporting Others, Supporting Ourselves
John Gaspari, LCSW
Executive Director USC Center for Work and Family Life
Introductions
Importance of beginnings and endings
Center for Work and Family Life
Available Services:
Faculty and Staff Counseling Faculty, Management and Departmental Consultation
Critical incident response
Work/Life Support Family and Dependent Care: Consultation and Resources Workplace Health and Wellness Programs
Role Expectations
Are you clear about your the role expectations you carry as a member of the CERT?
Can you imagine having any unfulfilled expectations or disappointments while functioning in this role?
How might the many other roles you play at any given time impact your role as a CERT member?
Unit Objectives
1. Psychological impacts to expect after a disaster –
What happens for people?
2. How to work with the psychological impacts in your role –
Providing psychological support.
3. Responder stress management and self care.
Are We Psychologically Prepared?
For every physical injury, there may be 5-6 psychological injuries
This may overwhelm and impede our emergency and/or medical response.
Critical Incident
Exposure to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present: The person experiences, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others.
The person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness or horror. (DSM-IV TR)
CRISIS
danger; peril opportunity; crucial point
Coping Mechanisms
People typically rely on past strategies to cope with new stressful situations Past coping mechanisms can be functional or dysfunctional.
Degree of hardiness (resilience) has been identified as a characteristic that can buffer extreme stress in older populations Children can be vulnerable because they have no experience or known patterns of actions as a response to the experience.
Into every life a little rain must fall …..
But what happens when there is a flood?
Psychosocial Impact – Considerations
Prior experience with a similar event Prior trauma The intensity of the disruption in the survivors’ lives The resilience of the individual
Psychosocial Impact – Considerations
The length of time that has elapsed between the event occurrence and the present Pre-existing vulnerabilities Man-Caused vs. •Children/families •Seniors •Disabled •Bereaved •Health impairments •Women Naturally Occurring Events
Psychological Response to Trauma
Key Principles
Man-Caused vs. Natural Events
Adult Coping & Adaptation
Consequences of Critical Incidents Often include
LOSS
Tangible Loss
Loss of loved ones Loss of home Loss of material goods Loss of employment / income
Consequences of Critical Incidents Often include
LOSS
Intangible Loss
Loss of safety / security (
real or perceived
) Loss of predictability Loss of social cohesion/connection/support Loss of dignity, trust and safety Loss of positive self-image/self-esteem Loss of trust in the future Loss of hope Loss of CONTROL
Activity –
What if I lost…
You have been given three cards each of three different colors: Blue Card write the name of a person close to you on each card White Card - write down one of your favorite belongings Pink Card - write down something you enjoy, an activity, or hobby.
After you have written on each card, place them face down on the table and shuffle them around. Close your eyes and pick three cards.
Activity –
What if I lost…
These are the three things you will have lost in a disaster.
Discuss with the group how you feel about losing these things or people
Possible Psychological Reactions to a Large-Scale Emergency Many people survive disasters without developing any significant psychological symptoms. For other individuals, the reactions will disappear over time.
“Just because you have experienced a disaster does not mean you will be damaged by it, but you will be changed by it.” (Weaver 1995)
Grief and Loss
Not an even process Takes time Can become stuck in the process May spawn other problems Nothing like T & T (
Time and Talking
)
Supporting Others
“We’re a community that believes in ‘love thy neighbor’, but right now we need to love our neighbors a little bit more.”
Man talking after devastating tornados ripped through his Tennessee neighborhood - 2/08
Role of Disaster Mental Health?
Primarily directed toward “normal” people who are responding normally to an abnormal situation Improve resistance, resilience and recovery.
Identifying those at risk for severe social or psychological impairment Identify those in need of additional or special services.
Role of Disaster Mental Health?
Mitigate post trauma sequelae May prevent future problems Helps people to handle problems in a way that does not create MORE problems Convey sense of compassion and support for people.
Psychological Response to Trauma
Key Concepts
Experience has shown that:
No one who sees a disaster is untouched by it.
Most people pull together & function during and after a disaster, but their effectiveness is diminished.
Most people do not see themselves as needing mental health services following a disaster and will not seek such services.
Psychological Response to Trauma
Key Concepts
Experience has shown that:
Survivors respond to active, genuine interest & concern. Survivors may reject disaster assistance of all types.
Disaster mental health assistance is often more practical than psychological in nature.
Social support systems are crucial to recovery.
Psychological Response to Trauma
Key Concepts
While there may be specific disaster-related stressors, underlying concerns and needs are consistent across a range of traumatic events. These include: A concern for basic survival Grief and loss over loved ones & loss of valued and meaningful possessions Fear & anxiety about personal safety & the physical safety of loved ones A need to talk about events & feelings associated with the disaster, often repeatedly A need to feel one is a part of the community & its recovery efforts
Phases of Disaster Pre-Disaster Honeymoon (community cohesion)
llllllllllll
Heroic Disillusionment
Threat
EVENT
Warning
Inventory Reconstruction (a new beginning) Trigger Events and Anniversary Reactions Time 1 to 3 days 1 to 3 years
Phases of Disaster
• Heroic Phase • Honeymoon Phase • Disillusionment Phase – May last from two months to several years. – Strong feelings of anger and resentment can be directed at volunteers and other public officials. • Reconstruction Phase
Honeymoon
(community cohesion)
Survivors may be elated Happy just to be alive This phase will not last
Disillusionment
Reality of disaster “hits home” Loss and Grief becomes prominent
Psychological Support
Your actions and interactions with affected people can help provide critical support to people in distress. relieve suffering, both emotional and physical Improve people’s short term functioning Accelerate the individual’s course of recovery
Brainstorming
What main attributes and skills should a volunteer have when offering psychological support? Spend 5 minutes brainstorming and writing down those characteristics which are likely to be required.
Essential Attributes and Skills
Good Listening skills Patient Caring attitude Trustworthy Approachable Culturally competent Empathetic
Essential Attributes and Skills
Non-judgmental approach Kind Committed Flexible Able to tolerate chaos
Supportive Communication
Supportive communication conveys: Empathy Concern Respect Confidence
Activity – Supportive Statements
As a group, generate a list of supportive statements that you would find helpful if you were in pain, injured, and/or acute emotional distress.
Activity – Unhelpful Statements
As a group, generate a list of statements that you would find unhelpful if you were in pain, injured, and/or acute emotional distress.
Guiding Principles in Providing Psychological Support in Your Role Protect from danger Be direct and active Provide accurate information about what you’re going to do Reassure Do not give false assurances Recognize the importance of taking action Provide and ensure emotional support
Crisis Intervention
Observe safe practices by showing concern for your own safety Remain calm and appear relaxed, confident and non-threatening
You must look and act calm even if you are not
Goals of Psychological First Aid Psychological first aid (PFA) promotes and sustains an environment of:
SAFETY CALM CONNECTEDNESS SELF-EFFICACY HOPE
Psychological First Aid
Promote SAFETY:
Help people meet basic needs for food and shelter, & obtain medical attention.
Provide repeated, simple and accurate information on how to get these basic needs met.
Psychological First Aid
Promote CALM:
Listen to people who wish to share their stories and emotions, & remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel.
Be friendly & compassionate even if people are being difficult.
Offer accurate information about the disaster or trauma, and the relief efforts underway to help victims understand the situation.
Psychological First Aid
Promote CONNECTEDNESS:
Help people contact friends and loved ones.
Keep families together. Keep children with parents or other close relatives whenever possible.
Psychological First Aid
Promote SELF-EFFICACY:
Give practical suggestions that steer people toward helping themselves.
Engage people in meeting their own needs.
Psychological First Aid
Promote HELP:
Find out the types and locations of government & non-government services and direct people to those services that are available.
When they express fear or worry, remind people (if you know) that more help and services are on the way.
Do Say…
Can you tell me what happened?
I’m Sorry This must be difficult for you I’m here to be with you
Psychological First Aid
DON’T:
Force people to share their stories with you, especially very personal details (
this may decrease calmness in people who are not ready to share their experiences
).
Give simple reassurances like “everything will be ok”, or “at least you survived” (
statements like these tend to diminish calmness
).
Psychological First Aid
DON’T:
Tell people what you think they should be feeling, thinking or doing now or how they should have acted earlier (
this decreases self-efficacy
).
Tell people why you think they have suffered by giving reasons about their personal behaviors or beliefs (
this also decreases self-efficacy
).
Psychological First Aid
DON’T:
Make promises that may not be kept (
un-kept promises decrease hope
).
Criticize existing services or relief activities in front of people in need of these services (
this may decrease hopefulness or decrease calming
).
Source: Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Avoid Saying . . .
“I understand what it’s like for you.” “Don’t feel bad.” “You’re strong/You’ll get through this.” “Don’t cry.” “It’s God’s will.” “It could be worse” or “At least you still have . . .”
Intense Emotions
Are often appropriate reactions following a disaster
Can often be managed by community responders
Anxiety
A state of intense apprehension, uncertainty and fear Results from anticipating a threatening event Intense anxiety = “fight or flight”
Agitation
Sometimes, despite our best attempts at active listening, people become agitated It is usually not personal
This is their reaction to an extremely abnormal situation, and it has nothing to do with you
Anxiety
The Energy Curve
Agitation Tension Reduction Baseline
Elements of Escalation
Challenging authority or questioning Refusal to follow directions Loss of
control
, becoming verbally agitated Becoming threatening
Elements of Escalation
Challenging Authority or Questioning Answer the question Repeat your request in a neutral tone of voice
Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Elements of Escalation
Not Following Directions Do not take control, help the individual gain control of him/herself Remain professional Consider restructuring your request Give the person time to think about your request
Seek Assistance
Loss of Control, Becoming Verbally Threatening Verbal Vomit
If the person becomes threatening or intimidating and does not respond to your attempts to calm them, seek immediate assistance
Elements of De-escalation
Establish a relationship Introduce yourself if they do not know you Ask the person what they would like to be called Don't shorten their name or use their first name without their permission With some cultures, it is important to always address them as "Mr." or "Mrs.", especially if they are older than you
Elements of De-escalation
Use concrete questions to help the person focus Use closed ended questions (yes/no) If the person is not too agitated, briefly explain why you are asking the question • For example:
I'd like to get some basic information from you so that I can help you better. Where do you hurt?
Elements of De-escalation
Come to an agreement on something Establishing a point of agreement will help solidify your relationship and help gain their trust Positive language has more influence than negative language Active listening will assist you in finding a point of agreement
Elements of De-escalation
Speak to the person with respect This is communicated with: Words Para-verbal Communication
(how we say the words – e.g. tone, pitch)
Non-verbal behavior Use of words like
please
and
thank you
Elements of De-escalation
Don't make global statements about the person's character Use “I” statements Lavish praise / support / encouragement is not believable
Activity – De-escalation
May I have two volunteers?
Activity – Observation of De-escalation
One of the volunteers will play an agitated individual and the other will play a community responder. Observe closely to see what de-escalation skills the community responder is using to help calm the agitated individual. What did you observe?
Responder Stress and Well-Being:
Helping the Helpers
Adrenaline, Friend or Foe?
Increase in speed and strength Tunnel vision – eyes revert to default survival position.
Reduced Near, peripheral, depth Hearing muted Changes in reaction time Freezing and unable to react Overreacting Increase in sensory acuity Slow motion time May act in a way that seems inappropriate for the situation (e.g. giggle, yell)
Psychological Response to Trauma
Survivors’ Needs and Reactions
People often experience strong and unpleasant emotional and physical responses following exposure to traumatic events (e.g. disasters).
These may include a combination of: •
Fear & anxiety
•
Grief & loss
•
Shock
•
Hopelessness
•
Loss of Confidence
•
Mistrust
•
Sleep disturbances
•
Physical pain
•
Confusion
•
Shame
•
Shaken faith
•
Aggressiveness
Possible Physiological Symptoms
Loss of appetite Headaches, chest pain Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea Hyperactivity Increase in alcohol or drug consumption Nightmares Inability to sleep Fatigue, low energy
Possible Emotional/Psychological Symptoms Irritability, anger Self-blame, blaming others Isolation, withdrawal Fear of recurrence Feeling stunned, numb, or overwhelmed Feeling helpless Mood swings Sadness, depression, grief Denial Concentration, memory problems, confusion Relationship conflicts/marital discord
More Typical Reactions…
Fear of darkness Fear of being alone or of crowds or strangers Sensitivity to loud noises Somatic complaints Guilt, anger, grief Reliving past traumas
Main point – Disaster stress is a normal response to an abnormal circumstance. If symptoms persist, they must be treated.
C. Fasser, 2004; B. Young, 2006
Possible Psychological Reactions to a Large-Scale Emergency
For most people, things get better with time…
Possible Psychological Reactions to a Large-Scale Emergency For some, however, the reactions may evolve and even worsen.
*Victims of Hurricane Katrina
: Significant increase in serious mental health problems two years post Katrina
(PTSD, suicidality, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence)
across all racial and socio-economic groups.
Helpers
Responders are, by definition, exposed to a critical incident They may experience critical incident stress because of the work they do Often have a feeling of not having done enough Are sometimes overwhelmed by the needs of the community Need to cope with their own fears
Challenge to Helpers
Being part of the collective crisis Repeated exposure to grim experiences Carrying out physically difficult, exhausting or dangerous tasks Lacking sleep and feeling fatigued Facing the perceived inability to ever do enough
Challenge to Helpers (cont.)
Feeling guilt over access to food, shelter, etc.
Facing moral and ethical dilemmas Being exposed to anger and lack of gratitude Being detached from personal support systems Feeling frustrated by policies and decisions by supervisors
Categories of Reactions After the Incident •
ASD / PTSD
•
Grief
•
Depression
•
Resilience Mental Health and Illness Distress Responses
•
Avoidance (emotional)
•
Substance abuse
•
Risk taking
•
Over Dedication Human Behavior in High Stress Environments
•
Fear / worry
•
Sleep disturbance
•
Altered productivity
Loss and Grief –
Signs of Trouble
Avoiding or minimizing emotions Using alcohol or drugs to self-medicate Using work or other distractions to avoid feelings Hostility and aggression toward others
Stress
A state of physical and/or psychological arousal Often brought about by a perceived threat or challenge May be expressed differently by different cultures
Coping with Stress
Coping is a way to prevent, delay, avoid, or manage stress Coping mechanism categories: Changing the source of stress Changing the view of the situation Tolerating the stressor until it passes or becomes less troublesome
Examples of Coping
Seeking help from others or offering to help others Using natural support systems Talking about their experiences and trying to make sense of what happened Hiding until the danger has passed Seeking information about the welfare of loved ones Gathering remaining belongings
Examples of Coping (cont.)
Beginning to repair the damage Burying or cremating the dead Following religious or cultural practices Setting goals and making plans Using defenses like denial Remaining fearful and alert to further danger Thinking long and hard about the event
Activity – Decompression
Take a few moments to write down five things that help you relieve stress and feel calmer Share these methods with the rest of the group
Self-Help Techniques
Know the normal reactions to stressful events Be aware of your tension and consciously try to relax Use the
buddy
system Talk to someone you trust and with whom feel at ease Listen to what people close to you say and think about the event
Reconcile expectations with results
Self-Help Techniques (cont.)
Work on routine tasks if it is too difficult to concentrate on demanding duties If you cannot sleep or feel too anxious, discuss this with someone you can trust Express your feelings in ways other than talking: Draw Paint Play music Journal
Self-Help Techniques (cont.)
Do not self-medicate Go easy on yourself Avoid inflated or perfectionistic expectations Seek professional advice if reactions continue
Cognitive/Behavioral Approaches to Stress Reduction
Adequate Rest Exercise / Movement Diet / Balanced Nutrition Enough H
2
O Moderate Chemical Use Laughter / Tears Time Away From Work Role
Cognitive/Behavioral Approaches to Stress Reduction
Religious / Spiritual Relaxation Techniques / Breathing Yoga Meditation Social Support / Discuss Feelings Allow yourself to receive as well as give
Cognitive/Behavioral Approaches to Stress Reduction
Play
: Hobbies / Personal Interests Exposure to Nature Biofeedback Massage / Human Touch Sex Professional Assistance Medication
What Else Works for You???
www.despair.com
Team Well-Being
CERT team leaders should:
Provide pre-disaster stress management training Brief personnel before response Emphasize teamwork Encourage breaks Provide for proper nutrition Rotate Phase out workers gradually Conduct a brief discussion Arrange for a intermittent and post-event debriefing
No Macho (Wo)Man, No Pity Party
Do not create an expectation there will be a problem, but when there is a problem, go get help.
Lt. Col Dave Grossman (ret.)
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
Debriefing / Defusing:
is a specific technique designed to assist responders in dealing with the physical or psychological symptoms that are generally associated with trauma exposure. allows those involved with the incident to process the event and reflect on its impact. allows for the ventilation of emotions and thoughts associated with the crisis event. provided as soon as possible but typically no longer than the first 24 to 72 hours after the initial impact of the critical event.
When you come to the edge of all that you know, You must believe in one of two things; There will be earth on which to stand, or You will be given wings.
Anonymous