Mental health is the foundation of overall well-being and includes emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and physical aspects. However, changes in the environment, unpleasant experiences, work pressures, or interpersonal relationships often lead to psychological stress that can affect mental health. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is emerging as an approach to provide first aid to people in psychological crisis.
Anisa Yuliandri, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psikolog, a psychologist from the Career and Student Development Unit (CSDU) at FEB UGM, emphasized the importance of Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is essential in supporting those in crisis or need of help.
“PFA is done by showing empathy and can be done by anyone,” she explained on Friday, 15 November 2024, during an online professional development session titled “Building Mental Readiness: Psychological First Aid in the Campus Environment”.
Anisa explained that PFA aims to give attention to people in need, provide a sense of security, and help them cope with stress caused by unpleasant events. In addition, PFA aims to prevent the deterioration of an individual’s mental health before further treatment and to help people connect with information, services, and other social support.
Anisa explained the three main principles of PFA: Look, Listen, and Link. The first step in PFA is Look, which involves recognizing the situation and identifying who needs help. Next is Listening, where active, empathic listening is at the heart of PFA. Finally, Link refers the person to appropriate services, such as counselors or psychologists, if needed. This approach is designed so that anyone can provide initial support to those in need.
When offering psychological support, she adds, it’s important to choose a quiet and safe place, maintain an appropriate distance, and show attention by making eye contact, nodding, and mirroring the person’s facial expressions. Patience, calmness, accurate and honest information, acknowledging and validating feelings, maintaining privacy, and encouraging self-help are essential.
Conversely, avoid disclosing personal information, judging feelings or behavior, interrupting conversations, forcing people to speak, or sharing personal opinions. Also, don’t jump to conclusions, make physical contact without consent, fabricate information, or overlook a person’s strength in dealing with their problems.
During the training, Anisa emphasized the importance of recognizing the signs of stress or psychological pressure. If a person is struggling to find solutions to their problems, those experiencing stress are encouraged to seek psychological services without hesitation.
FEB UGM provides psychological services under the Career and Student Development Unit (CSDU) at FEB UGM to create a healthy and inclusive campus. In addition to services at the faculty level, several psychological services within UGM are available to the UGM academic community, including the Psychology Consultation Unit (UKP) at the UGM Faculty of Psychology, the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL), the Gadjah Mada Medical Center (GMC) and the UGM Academic Hospital (RSA).
Reportage: Shofi Hawa Anjani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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