Gelisim News

Psychological first aid after the trauma speeds up the adaptation process of the person to the case

Dr. Esra Savaş, who is an Academic Member of the Department of Psychology of the Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences of the Istanbul Gelisim University, indicated that the psychological first aid due to be provided after the trauma raised the adaptation process of the person to the case.

Natural disasters, violence, epidemics, abuse cases and many more of them bring forth physical and psychological effects. Dr. Esra Savaş, who is an Academic Member of the Department of Psychology of the Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences of the Istanbul Gelisim University, who indicated that in case of no instant intervention is made in the cases creating traumatic effects, it might cause the occurrence of much more serious problems, saying: ‘’The Psychological First Aid (PIY) is not a therapy or treatment. Primarily, the alleviation of the stress that the person, who experiences the case, might feel on him will be ensured. By this means, the adaptation process will increase and speed up following the trauma.’’

 ‘’2020 HAS BEEN THE YEAR WHEN THE HIGHEST NUMBERS OF METEOROLOGICAL DISASTERS WERE EXPERIENCED SINCE 1940’'

According to the explanation, made by the AFAD* (The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency), Turkey takes place on the 113^th rank among 180 countries at the list of “The Index of the Most Risky Countries”. 2020 has been the year when the highest numbers of the meteorological disasters were experienced in our country since 1940. This circumstance shows that the requirement for the mental and physical first aid services is substantially high in our country as are in all countries. The psychological first aid, aimed to increase the adaptation period by lessening the stress in the first stage due to be made immediately after the state of acute crisis, prevent the person pertaining thereto from additional suffering. The psychological first aid can be offered by the first intervention teams and other disaster help officers to the adolescents, parents/care givers, families, adults and children, who may be exposed to disasters or terrorism.

EVERYONE HAVING TAKEN NECESSARY TRAINING CAN OFFER THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID

The psychological first aid trainings can be taken by everybody on involuntary basis the same as the first aid courses, offered by various numbers of educational establishments likewise. The psychological first aid being applied immediately after the instances of crisis helps a person to overcome the moment of shock. The Academic Member Dr. Esra Savaş further indicated that every person, who has taken necessary training, can help a lot of individuals experiencing a state of shock, through this first aid field that he might apply thereon irrespective of whether he (she) is a psychologist or psychiatrist.