The eight basic steps of psychological first aid (NCTSN/National Center for PTSD model)

16/10/2026   Share :        
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A flexible, evidence-informed framework for providing early psychological support following disasters and traumatic events—typically during the initial days or weeks. Engagement and Contact: The goal is to respond to initiatives made by survivors to connect, or to initiate contact in a non-intrusive, empathetic, and helpful manner. Safety and Comfort: The goal is to promote immediate and ongoing safety, and to provide physical and emotional comfort. Stabilization (when needed): The goal is to calm survivors who are experiencing intense emotional overwhelm, confusion, or disorientation. Gathering Information: Current Needs and Concerns: The goal is to identify immediate needs and concerns, collect further information, and tailor Psychological First Aid (PFA) interventions accordingly. Practical Assistance: The goal is to provide practical help to survivors, enabling them to address their immediate needs and concerns. Connection with Social Support: The goal is to facilitate connections—whether short-term or ongoing—with key support figures and other resources, including family members, friends, and available community support services. Information on Coping: The goal is to provide information about stress reactions and coping strategies, aimed at reducing psychological distress and enhancing the ability to adapt and function effectively. Linking with Collaborative Services: The goal is to connect survivors with available services that they may need either immediately or in the future. These actions are not rigid steps; rather, they constitute a flexible framework. The aid provider determines the amount of time allocated for each intervention based on the specific needs and concerns of each survivor. Al-Mustaqbal University The first University in iraq