The article discusses the crucial role of Psychological First Aid (PFA), a mental health intervention designed to support survivors of disasters such as Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles fires. Originating from the experiences of Robin Gurwitch, who dealt with survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing, PFA emerged in response to the therapeutic needs after collective traumas. The practice helps reduce the risk of PTSD among survivors and represents an ongoing effort by mental health professionals to improve disaster response strategies based on decades of collaboration and research.
Robin Gurwitch's early experiences in Oklahoma City after the bombing triggered the development of Psychological First Aid, addressing trauma's impact on communities.
Psychological First Aid focuses on immediate mental health support and aims to mitigate risks for PTSD among disaster survivors.
'After 9-11, there was a real need to think through how we actually help primary survivors,' highlighting the continuous evolution of trauma care practices.
The collaboration among experts over 20 years led to an evidence-informed approach, illustrating the collective effort to improve mental health responses to disasters.
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