In partnership with LSS, we’ve put together this short webinar to provide you some resources to use to support our neighbors through difficult times.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed approach that is built on the concept of human resilience. PFA aims to reduce stress symptoms and assist in a healthy recovery following a traumatic event, natural disaster, public health emergency, or even a personal crisis.  It was developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the National Center for PTSD, with contributions from individuals involved in disaster research and response.  

The overall goal of PFA is to help people:

• Feel safe, hopeful, calm & connected to others
• Connect them to social, physical and emotional support systems
• To help them regain a sense of control through self-efficacy and empowerment

PFA is not counseling or a therapy but rather a short-term intervention focused on providing practical support to individuals and families following traumatic events.  

Some great things about PFA are that it is: 

• Consistent with research and evidence on risk and resilience following trauma 
• Applicable and practical in a multitude of field settings 
• Appropriate for developmental levels across the lifespan – it can be used with kids, families, or older adults.
• Culturally informed and delivered in a flexible manner – we as providers can adapt this intervention to meet the needs of whomever we work with, whether our ministry is in rural farming communities or the suburbs.