Psychosocial responses
We cannot begin to recover psychologically if we are physically unsafe so an effective first line response from emergency services is critical. Although it might seem less tangible it is important to recognise that individuals’ psychological needs are as relevant as their physical needs in these situations. The right response from mental health services is also critical as this can lessen the long term impact of experiencing a life threatening situation. This is when initial psychosocial responses to someone caught up in an incident are to be applied, as follows.
Useful initial response
- Bear witness to suffering and offer a listening ear and connection.
- Make sure the person can stay connected with family or friends.
- Give consistent, reassuring and normalising information about the impact of trauma.
- Make sure basic needs for food and shelter are met.
- Do not force psychological interventions or put them under pressure to talk.
Every person has strengths and abilities to help them cope with life challenges. However, other factors also have a bearing on the individual’s capacity to deal with a major incident. Some people may be particularly vulnerable in disaster situations requiring additional support.
For example
- Those at increased risk due to age.
- Those who have mental health needs.
- Those who have previously experienced trauma.
- Those who were seriously ill in hospital, or become physically disabled by the event.
- Groups who are targeted, facing violence or threats.
- Those suffering a bereavement as a result.
- Those alone in isolation as a result of quarantine or infection prevention measures or those where isolation increases risk of abuse at home.
- Those who lose their income or home as a result of the disaster or event.
Moral Injury
Epidemics place significant demand on an already stretched healthcare system. Prioritisation of resources (for example staff, beds and ventilators) due to increased demand means that some patients may not receive the care that they would ordinarily get. When preventable loss of life occurs due to these reasons, healthcare workers may be at risk of moral injury.
Video
‘Look, listen, link’ are the most important action principles of Psychological First Aid shown on this short promotion video below.
Some things to think about
- For those of you involved in organisational emergency planning are initial psychosocial responses a part of your major incident plan?
- If you’re not sure how can you find out?
- For those of you who are responders or volunteers in the event of a major incident, have you had any training in initial psychosocial responses, if not is there anything you can do to raise this?