School based psychological first aid

Abstract

There are many disaster incidents in the world in a different and widespread manner. Disasters are destructive events that occur suddenly and unexpectedly and leave unforgettable traces in society. Disasters affect many places, as well as schools that have the largest population density in the society in terms of the number of children and adolescents. In order to minimize the negative effects of disasters on schools and create safe school environments, the need for effective psychosocial interventions in schools is increasing every day. Schools are an important environment that continues their activities in and after disasters and provides psychosocial support to affected individuals. Schools are suitable places for psychological first aid to be given, as they are places where students spend most of their time and can become institutions where the community can get support after an emergency. Psychological first aid at school is a supportive and practical assistance approach to students, families and school staff immediately after an emergency. This help approach helps students and school staff to return to their daily lives in a short time and after a traumatic life, and to cope with their reactions more easily. Therefore, psychological first aid interventions in schools should be learned by school management and school staff and used when necessary. In this review study, Brymer et al., introduces a psychological first aid model consisting of 8 basic steps recommended for use in schools in disaster situations.