MHHRI psychological first aid and Ukrainian resources
We have here gathered some of the resources that we have used in our work together with AHALAR, in Ukraine over the last two years.
Here you can find the toolbox which is a collection of the tools that contains grounding exercises, metaphors, window of tolerance among other tools to provide psychological assistance in crises and emergencies. You can get it in the following languages: Ukrainian, English, Norwegian and Romanian.
In addition we have compiled in the following newsletter information about psychological first aid developed for helpers, volunteers and professionals engaged in emergency work to support to persons exposed to war trauma, separation, loss, including sexual violence.
The PS Centre has produced a video in Ukrainian introducing the principles of Psychological First Aid. This video explains what PFA is and how its principles can be applied to help someone in distress.
One of the main human rights violations in the context of war is sexual violence. With our manual “Mental health and gender-based violence Helping survivors of sexual violence in conflict – a training manual” you can provide psychological assistance to the survivors. The manual is also available in Ukrainian.
In addition, we have a three-day online webinar based on the “Mental health and gender-based violence Helping survivors of sexual violence in conflict – a training manual” The core topics are: Gender Based Violence (GBV) Likewise, the Power Point presentation for the three days training is available in English download it download it here.
Talking to survivors of trauma also affects the helper. For all helpers empathy is an essential aspect of good help. This is also a source for compassion fatigue, vicarious traumatisation or secondary traumatic stress (STS). In the following Power Point you can find practical information in English.
Psychological first aid (PFA) for helpers working with people within Ukraine and impacted countries
Here you can use practical help through this Power Point document is part of the webinar Wellbeing, risk and human rights – life as a human rights defender – in English
The organisation PRO.Школу has produced a number of videos – Free psychological support for teachers.
It is also possible to apply be able to join the facebook group Psy Crisis Team Ukraine with the aim to share access to proven methods of professional self-support, supervision, and sometimes even basic security . They coordinate and provide all possible support to psychologists who, due to circumstances, provide emergency psychological assistance related to the war in Ukraine.
The well-being guide: reduce stress, recharge and build inner resilience.
The exercises in this guide are for all humanitarian staff, volunteers and for recipients of mental health and psychosocial support services. If practised and used regularly, this catalogue of tried and practised tools can regulate stress, calm when distressed, promote sleep, and strengthen inner resilience.
The well-being guide: reduce stress, recharge and build inner resilience is for individual self-care, and for peers and teams who work together. Each section can be tested or incorporated within regular meetings with a focus on caring for the carers. Humanitarians and people working in helping professions need to take care of themselves in order not to burn out and to be effective in their work. Remember it is self-empowering to focus on what you can control. You can take control of caring for yourself.
How MHFA Helps You Respond in Crisis and Non-crisis Situations
We learn how to help ourselves and each other if an injury or illness happens – pressure to stop bleeding, ibuprofen for a fever, going to the doctor for medication. But if someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, it can be difficult to know the right thing to do or say.
The Psychological First Aid for Schools Field
The field of school safety and emergency management has evolved significantly over the past decade. Tragically, acts of violence, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks have taught us many lessons. We also know that other types of emergencies can impact schools, including medical emergencies, transportation accidents, sports injuries, peer victimization, public health emergencies, and the sudden death of a member of the school community. We now recognize the need for school emergency management plans that are up-to-date and take an “all-hazards” approach with clear communication channels and procedures that effectively reunite parents and caregivers with students
https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//pfa_schools.pdf
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of refugees: The Lancet Global Health podcast
The Lancet Global Health‘s Nina Putnis speaks to Wietse Tol about his research on reducing psychological distress in female South Sudanese refugees, and the implications of this research for refugees and displaced people worldwide. Listen to the podcast below: