Just as physical injuries need first aid, children need Psychological First Aid (PFA) to help them feel safe, reduce emotional distress, and begin to recover. Research shows that children who receive early support from parents, teachers, or trusted adults are more likely to recover and experience fewer long-term psychological effects.
What type of children do need extra support?
Children who:
- witnessed or experienced the traumatic event,
- lost or saw a loved one injured or killed,
- were injured themselves,
- feel guilty about surviving,
- show signs of intense stress, anxiety, or fear, or
- have caregivers who are too overwhelmed to provide adequate support.
Children don't all show stress the same way
Some cry. Others become unusually quiet, avoid school, lash out, struggle to sleep, have nightmares, or complain of headaches or stomachaches without a medical cause.
Reactions also vary by age. Young children may cling to caregivers, school-aged children may repeatedly talk about the event or refuse school, and teenagers may withdraw, lose hope, or even be at risk of self-harm. These changes should never be ignored.
The 3L Principles of Psychological First Aid
- Look: Make sure the child is safe and watch for signs of distress.
- Listen: Listen calmly, without pressure or judgment, and answer questions honestly in language they can understand.
- Link: Connect the child and family with medical, mental health, or social support, and seek immediate professional help if there is a risk of self-harm or crisis.
What to avoid
- Don't force children to recount the event.
- Don't ask for details repeatedly.
- Don't dismiss or judge their feelings.
- Don't say, "Just forget about it" or "I know how you feel."
- Don't make promises you can't keep.
The most important message
After incident, children don't need perfect words. They need to feel:
"I am safe. Someone is here to listen, understand, and stay with me."
Psychological First Aid isn't only for psychologists. Parents, teachers, caregivers, and every trusted adult can help children heal and regain a sense of safety.
Sources:
เบญจพร ปัญญายง. การปฐมพยาบาลทางใจ ผู้ที่มีปัญหาสุขภาพจิต. กรุงเทพฯ:บริษัท บียอนด์ พับลิสชิ่ง จํากัด, 2562.
สถาบันสุขภาพจิตเด็กและวัยรุ่นราชนครินทร์ ( 2565 ). คู่มือผู้ปฏิบัติงานการปฐมพยาบาลทางใจ (Psychological First Aid : PFA) ในเด็กและวัยรุ่น.
สมาคมอีเอ็มดีอาร์ ประเทศไทย. การปฐมพยายาลทางใจ, 2565.