PSYCHOLOGICAL

FIRST AID
DAY 1
 OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the

participants are expected to:
• Explain the concepts of PFA
• Summarize key learnings
• Determine how sessions are conducted
• Acquire necessary skills to conduct PFA
• Facilitate a PFA session
LIFELINE
 KEY
CONCEPTS
 SELF-CARE
The ability to
engage in
helping others
without
sacrificing other
important parts
of one’s life
ASPECTS OF SELF-CARE
• AWARENESS – slow
down & focus
inwardly
• BALANCE in ALL
areas of life
• CONNECTION –
build supportive
relations
GRIEF
 GENERAL STAGES OF GRIEF:

 DENIAL
 ANGER
 BARGAINING
 DEPRESSION
 ACCEPTANCE
PSYCHOLOGICAL
FIRST AID
 IS THIS PFA OR NOT?
 assisting with current needs
 discussing the details of the event
that caused distress
 making them feel safe & calm
 analyze what happened to them
 connect them with services &
social support
 PFA…

…IS NOT …IS

TO HELP
COUNSELING INDIVIDUALS FEEL:
SAFE, CALM,
CONNECTED,
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORTED, &
DEBRIEFING HOPEFUL
 PFA
to be delivered during WHO IS IT FOR?
the Emergency Phase

reduce initial distress Students,

caused by emergencies personnel & their
families exposed to
foster short- and long- disaster or other
term adaptive emergency
functioning and coping
 PFA
LINK
Practical
assistance,
LISTEN Connect to social
Stabilize, support,
Gather information and Link with
regarding current services
needs and
concerns,
and Support efforts LOOK
to coping Ensure safety,
Contact &
engagement
PREPARE
SESSIONS
WARMING UP VALIDATING AND
NORMALIZING FEELINGS
CALMING DOWN AND
CONTROLLING EMOTIONS
IDENTIFYING AND
ADDRESSING NEEDS
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
 PFA SESSIONS

WARMING UP
This is to loosen up and energize the participants before
moving in to the session proper.

MAGSAMA-SAMAother possible activity: Bring Me

 PFA SESSIONS
VALIDATING AND
NORMALIZING FEELINGS
Their reactions to the stressful event / disaster are
normal and valid.
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

MUSIC ART
materials: music, bond paper & crayon
 PFA SESSIONS
VALIDATING AND
NORMALIZING FEELINGS
other possible activity: TABLEAU
 PFA SESSIONS
CALMING DOWN AND
CONTROLLING EMOTIONS
BREATHING &
STRETCHING
EXERCISES
Circles, Painting with Light, Opening
Energy Gates, Connecting Heaven & Earth

other possible activity:

PLAYLIST
 PFA SESSIONS
IDENTIFYING AND
ADDRESSING NEEDS
Know who to approach for support in addressing
their needs.

Frequent Needs (WHO et al., 2011):

Basic needs
Health
Correct information
Access to cell phones, internet, email
Being consulted about major decisions that will directly affect
their lives
 PFA SESSIONS
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
Revisit strength to support
self-efficacy to deal w/ the
situation

Crossing the
Hurdle
materials: obstacles
 PFA SESSIONS
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
other possible activity: T-SHIRT ART
Upper center: NAME
Upper right: 3 FAVE THINGS
Upper left: 3 TRAITS
Lower center: 3 THINGS VALUED
Lower right: 3 TALENTS
Lower left: 3 DREAMS or LEARNINGS
FACILITATE
 WHO DELIVERS PFA?
Teachers / Guidance Counselors / Staff Members
trained to facilitate PFA

SKILLS:
responds in an EMPOWERING manner
listens ACTIVELY & EMPHATICALLY
(reflecting, clarifying & interpreting)
creates an atmosphere of UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE
and support-setting GROUND RULES
A FEW REMINDERS:
• Speak calmly. Be patient,
responsive & sensitive.
• Speak slowly, in simple
concrete terms. Don’t use
acronyms or jargons.
• Give information that is
accurate & age-appropriate for
your audience.
• Before ending each session,
make sure to close any
opened.
REFLECTION
 KEY LEARNINGS:
PFA sessions are
delivered during the
emergency phase (1-
day to 6 months) of a
disaster.
As a facilitator, it is
important to assure those
who are affected of their
safety before starting the
PFA. At the same time, make
sure to practice self-care
while conducting the PFA.
These sessions are
conducted to build
resiliency in personnel and
learner survivors of
disasters and to mitigate
the impact of the disastrous
event in their life.
The participants’ take home
message consists of the following
ideas:
My reactions to the disaster are
valid and normal. I can calm down
and control my emotions. I know
whom to approach for support in
addressing my needs. I have
multiple sources of strengths.
DAY 2
SESSIONS
 OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the

participants are expected to:
• Acquire the necessary skills in PFA to be
shared and practiced in his/her AoR
• Share insights/learnings after undergoing
through PFA
 PFA SESSIONS

WARMING UP
MAGSAMA-SAMA
 PFA SESSIONS
VALIDATING AND
NORMALIZING FEELINGS

MUSIC ART
materials: music, bond paper & crayon

Choose 6 favorite colors.

Respond to the music by drawing what you feel on the bond paper. A
different crayon will be used for a different song.
 GROUP
DISCUSSION
CONNECTIONS
 PFA SESSIONS
CALMING DOWN AND
CONTROLLING EMOTIONS
There are certain ways one can do to calm down and control
emotions. 

STRESS RELIEVERS
materials: metacards, pen & masking tape
Write at least 3 ways you do to feel better when you are stressed.
Post them on the board.
 PFA SESSIONS
CALMING DOWN AND
CONTROLLING EMOTIONS
BREATHING &
STRETCHING
EXERCISES
Circles, Painting with Light, Opening
Energy Gates, Connecting Heaven & Earth

other possible activity:

PLAYLIST
 PFA SESSIONS
IDENTIFYING AND
ADDRESSING NEEDS
Know who to approach for support in addressing
their needs.

Frequent Needs (WHO et al., 2011):

Basic needs
Health
Correct information
Access to cell phones, internet, email
Being consulted about major decisions that will directly affect
their lives
 PFA SESSIONS
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
Revisit strength to support
self-efficacy to deal w/ the
situation

Crossing the
Hurdle
materials: obstacles
 PFA SESSIONS
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
other possible activity: T-SHIRT ART
Upper center: NAME
Upper right: 3 FAVE THINGS
Upper left: 3 TRAITS
Lower center: 3 THINGS VALUED
Lower right: 3 TALENTS
Lower left: 3 DREAMS or LEARNINGS
CHEERING
SQUAD
10 minutes ONLY
 PFA SESSIONS
VALIDATING AND
NORMALIZING FEELINGS

MUSIC ART
materials: music, bond paper & crayon

Choose 6 favorite colors.

Respond to the music by drawing what you feel on the bond paper. A
different crayon will be used for a different song.
 GROUP
DISCUSSION
30 minutes MAX
 PFA SESSIONS
VALIDATING AND
NORMALIZING FEELINGS
other possible activity: TABLEAU
 PFA SESSIONS
CALMING DOWN AND
CONTROLLING EMOTIONS
There are certain ways one can do to calm down and control
emotions. 

STRESS RELIEVERS
materials: metacards, pen & masking tape
Write at least 3 ways you do to feel better when you are stressed.
Post them on the board.
 PFA SESSIONS
CALMING DOWN AND
CONTROLLING EMOTIONS
BREATHING &
STRETCHING
EXERCISES
Circles, Painting with Light, Opening
Energy Gates, Connecting Heaven & Earth

other possible activity:

PLAYLIST
 PFA SESSIONS
IDENTIFYING AND
ADDRESSING NEEDS
Know who to approach for support in addressing
their needs.

Frequent Needs (WHO et al., 2011):

Basic needs
Health
Correct information
Access to cell phones, internet, email
Being consulted about major decisions that will directly affect
their lives
 PFA SESSIONS
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
Revisit strength to support
self-efficacy to deal w/ the
situation

Crossing the
Hurdle
materials: obstacles
 PFA SESSIONS
SOURCES OF STRENGTH
other possible activity: T-SHIRT ART
Upper center: NAME
Upper right: 3 FAVE THINGS
Upper left: 3 TRAITS
Lower center: 3 THINGS VALUED
Lower right: 3 TALENTS
Lower left: 3 DREAMS or LEARNINGS
MAKE A CHEER:
Identify the common
strength you have within
the group

Make a gesture/action for

that strength.

Present when called.

“KAMI AY _________!!!”
 READ:
My reactions to the disaster are valid &
normal.

I can calm down & control my emotions.

I know whom to approach for support in

addressing my needs.

I have multiple sources of strength.

ALL IS
WELL
SNOWBALL
DAY 3
 APPLICATION
THROUGH
SMALL GROUPS
 OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the

participants are expected to:
• Facilitate a PFA session in small groups
• Assess the psychological situation of the
participants to be able to implement
necessary actions
PEOPLE TO
PEOPLE
PLANNING
 THINK OF SITUATION NEEDING A PFA
SESSION. WRITE DOWN THE ELEMENTS:
• Disaster (Give at least 5 details of the event):
• Who Needs the PFA (Give details of affected
learners/personnel)
• Where and How Long will it be conducted
• Preparations needed (materials, food, facilitator)
• Activities to be Done
• Validating and Normalizing Feelings
• Calming Down & Controlling One’s Emotions
• Identifying & Addressing Needs
• Sources of Strength
 PFA
SIMULATION
 KEY LEARNINGS:
PFA sessions are
delivered during the
emergency phase (1-
day to 6 months) of a
disaster.
As a facilitator, it is
important to assure those
who are affected of their
safety before starting the
PFA. At the same time, make
sure to practice self-care
while conducting the PFA.
These sessions are
conducted to build
resiliency in personnel and
learner survivors of
disasters and to mitigate
the impact of the disastrous
event in their life.
The participants’ take home
message consists of the following
ideas:
My reactions to the disaster are
valid and normal. I can calm down
and control my emotions. I know
whom to approach for support in
addressing my needs. I have
multiple sources of strengths.
 REFERENCES
•Supporting Enabling and Empowering Students:
Manual on Psychosocial Interventions for
Secondary School-Aged Students during
Disasters and Emergency Situations (2015).
UNESCO.
•CCP Module as conducted during the PSS
sessions for Rizal DepEd personnel and PSS
trainings for DepEd Central Office personnel,
along with DepEd partners (May – June 2016)
THANK
YOU!