Module 1 Psychological Support

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Module 1- Psychological Support
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Acknowledgements

• This training program is an adaptation of
  Community-Based Psychological Support developed
  by the International Federation of Red Cross and
  Red Crescent Societies.
• The following citation is recommended for this
  curriculum
• Zagurski, R., Bulling, D., Chang, R. (2005).
  Nebraska Psychological First Aid Curriculum.
  Lincoln, NE University of Nebraska Public Policy
  Center.
• Special Acknowledgement is made to the reviewers
• Anthony Ng, M.D.
• Gilbert Reyes, Ph.D.

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Learning Objectives

•  Describe the purpose of psychological support
•  Describe the role of community responders in
  the provision of psychological support
•  Describe the basic principles involved in the
  implementation of a psychological support program
  in a disaster situation

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Consequences of Critical Events like Disaster
often include LOSS

• Loss of loved ones
• Loss of material goods
• Loss of employment/income
• Loss of social cohesion
• Loss of dignity, trust and safety
• Loss of positive self-image
• Loss of trust in the future

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Activity 1 What if I lost

• Give out 3 blue, 3 green and 3 white index cards
  - each person will get 9 total cards. On each
  card
• Blue cards - write the name of a person close to
  you on each card
• Green cards - write down one of your favorite
  belongings
• White cards - 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.
• 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

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Role of Disaster Mental Health

• Primarily directed toward normal people who are
  responding normally to an abnormal situation
• Identifying those at risk for severe social or
  psychological impairment

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Community Responder Activities

• Provide Social support
• Educate about normal and abnormal stress
  reactions
• Train on Stress Management techniques
• Mobilize Community Resources 

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Psychological Support

• Relieve suffering, both emotional and physical
• Improve peoples short term functioning
• Accelerate the individuals course of recovery

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Activity 2 - 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.

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Essential attributes and skills

• Good Listening skills
• Patient
• Caring attitude
• Trustworthy
• Approachable
• Culturally competent
• Empathetic

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Essential attributes and skills

• Non-judgmental approach
• Kind
• Committed
• Flexible
• Able to tolerate chaos

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Basic principals of Psychological Support

• Do no harm
• Community-based approach
• Recognizes and uses indigenous healing networks
  and practices
• Uses trained volunteers
• Empowers

• Encourages Community participation
• Exercises Care with terminology
• Encourages Active involvement
• Values Early intervention
• Uses Viable interventions

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Community-based Approach

• Builds on local resources
• Allows for trained volunteers to mentor untrained
  volunteers
• Focuses on strengthening groups and networks
• Community involvement improves the response

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Indigenous Healing Networks and Practices

• Provide education, support and a framework for
  customs and traditions in trauma and loss
• Understand that stress and grief are all
  expressed differently by different cultures
• Provide assistance in understanding what is
  sacred.

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Trained Community Responders

• Trained Community Responders can provide
• Basic psychological skills to help victims of
  crisis, shock and loss
• Ready cultural insights into the community

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Activity 3 Stranger in a Strange Land

• In order to get assistance from the relief
  agency, you must first read and sign this form
• Nuair a shroicheann tú imeall gach arbh eol duit,
  
• Ní mór duit ceann de dhá rud a chreidiúint
• Go mbeidh talamh ann le seasamh air
• nó go mbronnfar sciatháin chun eitilte ort.
• Signature____________________ Date_____________

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Empowerment

• Over-helping can be humiliating and/or create
  passivity
• Quality relief and assistance is based on helping
  others to gain self-respect and autonomy
  (empowerment)
• Abilities and strengths of the recipient are as
  important as their problems
• High degree of community participation enhances
  empowerment

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Community Participation

• Promotes empowerment and local ownership
• Helps restore control over their own lives as
  well as the life of the community
• Mobilizes collective strengths to restore natural
  community networks
• Helps reintegrate individuals and families within
  their communities

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Care with terminology

• Words can have a powerful effect on situations
• Blanket statements are often misleading or false
• trauma is a clinical term. It does not promote
  healing
• The concept of an Active survivor can enhance
  empowerment

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• TRAUMA

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Active Involvement

• Focus on strengths rather than symptoms and
  deficits
• Identify and strengthen coping mechanisms
• Actively involve the person in helping to sort
  out their problems

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Early intervention

• May prevent future problems
• Helps people to handle problems in a way that
  does not create MORE problems
• Promotes resiliency

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Translation of Activity 3

• 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