# Psychological First Aid vs Emotional First Aid

*Adapted from WHO Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers (2011) and SAMHSA public-domain materials. Public domain — free to share, print, remix.*

Both approaches share the same north star: reduce initial distress, meet basic needs, and connect people with ongoing support. They differ in **who delivers it**, **when**, and **for what**.

## Psychological First Aid (PFA)

- **Context.** Crises and acutely stressful events — accidents, disasters, violence, sudden loss.
- **Who.** Any trained helper — first responders, teachers, community workers. Not therapy; no clinical qualification required.
- **Aim.** Stabilise, orient, keep the person safe until professional support is available.
- **Core actions (WHO's "Look, Listen, Link"):**
  - **Look** — check for safety, obvious urgent needs, and people in serious distress.
  - **Listen** — approach, ask about needs and concerns, listen without pressure to talk.
  - **Link** — help with basic needs, connect to services, information, loved ones.

## Emotional First Aid (EFA)

- **Context.** Everyday emotional injuries — rejection, failure, loneliness, rumination, low self-worth.
- **Who.** Yourself, or a peer / friend / family member. Anyone can practise it daily.
- **Aim.** Prevent small emotional wounds from turning into chronic mental-health harm.
- **Core actions:**
  - **Notice** — name what you feel (rejected, ashamed, defeated).
  - **Validate** — treat the hurt as real, the way you would a scraped knee.
  - **Repair** — a small, kind action: reach out, self-compassion script, movement, a break from rumination.
  - **Reconnect** — with people, values, or activities that restore meaning.

## Side-by-side

| | Psychological First Aid | Emotional First Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Crisis / acute stress | Everyday emotional pain |
| Timing | Hours to days after event | Immediate, ongoing, self-directed |
| Deliverer | Trained helper | Self or peer |
| Goal | Stabilise + connect to care | Prevent chronic harm from small wounds |
| Skill level | Short training | Everyday practice |

## Both are peer skills, not therapy

Neither PFA nor EFA is counselling or treatment. Both are early-intervention frameworks a peer supporter can safely practise. If someone shows signs of suicidal thinking, self-harm, or severe symptoms, always link them to a trusted adult or professional service.

## Crisis resources (India)

- **iCall** — 9152987821 (Mon–Sat, 8am–10pm)
- **AASRA** — 9820466726 (24/7)
- **Vandrevala Foundation** — 1860-2662-345 (24/7)

## Sources (all public domain / open-access)

- WHO — *Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers* (2011).
- SAMHSA — *Psychological First Aid Online* modules.
- Guy Winch — TED, *Why we all need to practise emotional first aid* (concept popularised for the public).