<p>When disaster strikes, our first instinct is often to check for physical injuries, call for help, or reach out to loved ones. But what about the emotional wounds that aren’t immediately visible? Whether it’s a car crash, a natural disaster, or a sudden loss, trauma doesn’t always leave bruises; it leaves people shaken, scared, and unsure of what to do next.</p>.<p>Take the case of Anjali, a 30-year-old professional in Bengaluru. On an ordinary weekday evening, she was heading home from work when another car suddenly swerved into her lane, causing a collision. Physically, she was unharmed. But the emotional toll was immediate. Frozen behind the wheel, Anjali panicked, her hands trembled, her breath quickened, and her thoughts spiralled. That’s when some passersby stepped in. With calm words and a steady voice, they helped her out of the car, guided her to safety, and stayed by her side, listening, comforting, and reminding her that she was not alone. This is Psychological First Aid (PFA) in action.</p>.<p>PFA is not therapy. It’s not about diagnosing mental health conditions or offering long-term counselling. It’s about showing up in a moment of crisis with empathy, presence, and practical help. Backed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and widely used around the world, PFA is a simple but powerful way to support people in the aftermath of distressing events. Whether it’s a flood in Assam, a fire in a crowded neighbourhood in Mumbai, or a deeply personal loss, PFA is often the first line of emotional support. It’s about offering a sense of safety, helping people calm down, and guiding them towards the next step, be it talking to a counsellor, getting medical help, or just taking a moment to breathe.</p>.<p>PFA follows four core principles. Prepare: Know what kind of help might be needed in a crisis. Who can you call? Where is the nearest clinic? What support services exist nearby? Look: Observe what someone may need. Are they in danger? Do they seem confused, frightened, or shut down? Listen: Don’t force a conversation. Instead, be there, ready to listen when the person is ready to talk. Give them your time and attention without judgement. Link: Help connect them to other forms of support. That could mean a hotline, a mental health professional, or even just a family member or friend. These steps might sound simple, but in moments of chaos, they can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling supported.</p>.<p>In a world that’s constantly grappling with disasters, pandemics, accidents, layoffs, and daily stressors, emotional well-being often takes a backseat. But trauma doesn’t wait. Left unaddressed, it can lead to long-term issues like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.</p>.<p>That’s why early emotional support matters. When someone steps in with calm words, a listening ear, and the right resources, they not only offer immediate relief, they help prevent deeper wounds from forming. But PFA isn’t just about helping others. Those offering it, such as volunteers, first responders, or even caring neighbours, need to care for themselves too. Supporting others through trauma can take a toll. So, just as we ask helpers to give their time and energy, we must also remind them to rest, talk to peers, and recharge. You can’t pour from an empty cup.</p>.<p><strong>Quiet support to resilient recovery</strong></p>.<p>In India, where access to mental health professionals is still limited in many areas, PFA becomes even more vital. It’s a tool anyone can learn. You don’t need to be a mental health professional; you just need to be present, compassionate, and informed.</p>.<p>In a recent initiative, volunteers who were trained in PFA supported survivors after a landslide in Kerala. Their role wasn’t to “fix” trauma. It was to offer a warm blanket, a glass of water, and kind words such as “you’re safe now; you’re not alone.” That quiet support went a long way in helping survivors begin the journey towards healing.</p>.<p>In the darkest of moments, what people often remember most is not the sirens or the chaos around them, but the calm presence of someone who stayed, who listened, who cared. PFA reminds us of a simple truth: you don’t have to be a doctor or a therapist to help someone through a crisis; your presence with a listening ear and a little empathy can go a long way.</p>.<p><em>(Latha is an associate professor and Florence is a PhD Scholar at the <br>Department of Mental Health Education, NIMHANS; the article is the twelfth in a DH-NIMHANS series on mental health)</em></p>
<p>When disaster strikes, our first instinct is often to check for physical injuries, call for help, or reach out to loved ones. But what about the emotional wounds that aren’t immediately visible? Whether it’s a car crash, a natural disaster, or a sudden loss, trauma doesn’t always leave bruises; it leaves people shaken, scared, and unsure of what to do next.</p>.<p>Take the case of Anjali, a 30-year-old professional in Bengaluru. On an ordinary weekday evening, she was heading home from work when another car suddenly swerved into her lane, causing a collision. Physically, she was unharmed. But the emotional toll was immediate. Frozen behind the wheel, Anjali panicked, her hands trembled, her breath quickened, and her thoughts spiralled. That’s when some passersby stepped in. With calm words and a steady voice, they helped her out of the car, guided her to safety, and stayed by her side, listening, comforting, and reminding her that she was not alone. This is Psychological First Aid (PFA) in action.</p>.<p>PFA is not therapy. It’s not about diagnosing mental health conditions or offering long-term counselling. It’s about showing up in a moment of crisis with empathy, presence, and practical help. Backed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and widely used around the world, PFA is a simple but powerful way to support people in the aftermath of distressing events. Whether it’s a flood in Assam, a fire in a crowded neighbourhood in Mumbai, or a deeply personal loss, PFA is often the first line of emotional support. It’s about offering a sense of safety, helping people calm down, and guiding them towards the next step, be it talking to a counsellor, getting medical help, or just taking a moment to breathe.</p>.<p>PFA follows four core principles. Prepare: Know what kind of help might be needed in a crisis. Who can you call? Where is the nearest clinic? What support services exist nearby? Look: Observe what someone may need. Are they in danger? Do they seem confused, frightened, or shut down? Listen: Don’t force a conversation. Instead, be there, ready to listen when the person is ready to talk. Give them your time and attention without judgement. Link: Help connect them to other forms of support. That could mean a hotline, a mental health professional, or even just a family member or friend. These steps might sound simple, but in moments of chaos, they can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling supported.</p>.<p>In a world that’s constantly grappling with disasters, pandemics, accidents, layoffs, and daily stressors, emotional well-being often takes a backseat. But trauma doesn’t wait. Left unaddressed, it can lead to long-term issues like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.</p>.<p>That’s why early emotional support matters. When someone steps in with calm words, a listening ear, and the right resources, they not only offer immediate relief, they help prevent deeper wounds from forming. But PFA isn’t just about helping others. Those offering it, such as volunteers, first responders, or even caring neighbours, need to care for themselves too. Supporting others through trauma can take a toll. So, just as we ask helpers to give their time and energy, we must also remind them to rest, talk to peers, and recharge. You can’t pour from an empty cup.</p>.<p><strong>Quiet support to resilient recovery</strong></p>.<p>In India, where access to mental health professionals is still limited in many areas, PFA becomes even more vital. It’s a tool anyone can learn. You don’t need to be a mental health professional; you just need to be present, compassionate, and informed.</p>.<p>In a recent initiative, volunteers who were trained in PFA supported survivors after a landslide in Kerala. Their role wasn’t to “fix” trauma. It was to offer a warm blanket, a glass of water, and kind words such as “you’re safe now; you’re not alone.” That quiet support went a long way in helping survivors begin the journey towards healing.</p>.<p>In the darkest of moments, what people often remember most is not the sirens or the chaos around them, but the calm presence of someone who stayed, who listened, who cared. PFA reminds us of a simple truth: you don’t have to be a doctor or a therapist to help someone through a crisis; your presence with a listening ear and a little empathy can go a long way.</p>.<p><em>(Latha is an associate professor and Florence is a PhD Scholar at the <br>Department of Mental Health Education, NIMHANS; the article is the twelfth in a DH-NIMHANS series on mental health)</em></p>
