To cope with stress on your own and support your loved ones in these difficult times, it is useful to know the basic methods of emotional support*. Oleksii Agentaiev, an expert from Zaporizhzhia-based NGO STEP, has prepared tips to help stabilize a person in a stressful, traumatic or crisis situation and significantly reduce the level of psychological trauma.

Oleksiy Agentayev, expert of the NGO STEP.

Memo-instruction on providing first emotional aid in the event of stressful, crisis and traumatic events

(for psychologists, volunteers, and those who are just around)

I am here / contact. You say that you are there, that the person is not alone. You see and feel a direct connection with the traumatic event (episode), but you make sure to record the absence of physical injury (bodily injury) that requires medical intervention.

Stimulation. The principle of “joining and leading”. A person should be encouraged to take active independent action, helping themselves and others.

The goal of the helper is to be active: if the victim is sitting, the helper also sits, if the victim is in motion, the specialist, joining, is also in motion, gradually slowing down the pace.

“I am with you, you are not alone… I am… name… I want to help you.”

Questioning should NOT be emotional. Questions should be simple and open. Remember that in this state, a person is very suggestible (tell the truth clearly, briefly and directly).

It is important to tell what happened BEFORE and AFTER the event, to emphasize that the event is over. Everything is over.

If the person is in a state of stupor, use the Three YES technique. It is necessary to ask three simple questions in sequence to which the victim is likely to answer “Yes”. Focus the victim primarily on physical sensations.

For example, take his hand and ask him to shake your hand. In this way, the specialist helps the victim regain control and activates the ability to feel their body.

If possible, ask a question that involves a choice or a request that the victim can fulfill. For example, pouring water into a glass for themselves, choosing whether they want to drink tea or coffee, telling them where they will go as soon as they feel better.

Avoid confrontation, support any positive changes in the person’s behavior by encouraging them with words and gestures.

What not to do when providing first aid:

– Asking a person about their feelings.

– Make vain promises and provide false information.

– Forcefully provide assistance, be intrusive and too persistent.

– Forcing people to tell their stories or telling them without their permission to others.

– Condemning a person for their actions or feelings: “You shouldn’t think like that” or “Be glad you survived.”

– Interrupting or rushing a person’s story (e.g., looking at the clock).

– Touching a person if you are not sure that it is acceptable.

– Use complex terms.

– Talk about your own problems.

– Talking about people in a negative way (e.g., calling them “crazy” or “nuts”).

* Links to useful resources on psychological assistance during the war are available here.

Read also: “Emergency psychological aid during the war: how to support yourself and others

The material was created with the support of the international charity platform GlobalGiving, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the public union “Legal Development Network”.

Source: Legal Development Network