Currently, emotional crises have become more frequent due to the stress and demands of everyday life, natural disasters and situations of violence, which is why the ability to offer psychological first aid (PAP) has become a skill. essential. Just as in physical first aid, where the speed and effectiveness of intervention can save lives, PAPs play a crucial role in the emotional and psychological stability of people in times of anxiety. The psychologist Gabriela Pantoja emphasizes on her social networks the importance of this aid as a first line of emotional support.
PAPs are defined as the immediate emotional and psychological support provided to people who are experiencing an emotional crisis or acute stress situations. Contrary to common belief, you do not need to be a healthcare professional to provide this type of assistance. Psychological crisis is characterized by a state of disorganization that disrupts a person’s habitual ability to resolve conflict, presenting both risks and opportunities for change.
During the intervention, it is important to avoid taking hostile attitudes personally, pressuring the person to speak, making promises that cannot be kept and repressing the emotional expression of the affected person. These practices can hinder the recovery process.
PAPs provide crucial support in times of need. In addition, they promote resilience and emotional recovery. People face more and more constant challenges, the ability to offer and receive this aid becomes a fundamental pillar for mental health.
