Psychological first aid is crucial in assisting those in mental turmoil
REACHING OUT World Mental Health Day aims to create awareness on the need for social and psychological support for those facing crisis
NEWDELHI:Is your outgoing friend, keepingtohisroomlately?Didyou notice a student of yours crying in the back seat? Is your teenager having mood swings? Parents, teachers and friends must keep a lookout for any signs of emotional turmoilandprovidepsychological firstaidandseekhelpfromprofessionals, if necessary. in most cases people tell someone about their intent to commit suicide. If taken seriously, a tragedy can be prevented,” said Dr MS Bhatia, head of the department of psychiatry at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.
Dr Desai terms psychological first aid as the safety valve of a pressure cooker. “We build steam in a pressure cooker to cook food faster with less fuel. That is our society today, we want more from less. Psychological first aid is like the safety valve – if it’s not there, the cooker will burst,” he said.
A simple act like making time for adolescents can go a long way. “With both parents working, children might not be able to talk to them and express their feelings. This may drive them towards the virtual world to reach out to someone they can confide in, or, they might turn towards alcohol and cigarettes, leading to addiction,” said Dr Desai.
Mood changes, changes in the appetite and sleep patterns, addiction of any kind, falling grades and extreme social isolation are certain things that people might look out for.
“Anyone close to the person in need of psychological first aid will be able to notice drastic changes in their routine. Everyone skips a meal or pulls an all-nighter once in a while, but if the pattern continues, the family must approach a professional,” said Dr Rajesh Goyal, consultant of psychiatry at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Things that must prompt the person providing psychological support to reach out to a professional include suicidal thoughts, sustained impairment despite the support and violent behaviour or indication of violent behaviour.
“A first-aid provider must recognise when it is not working. Reachoutifthepersonisnotinterestedinlisteningtowhatyouhave to say and is not even making eye contact while you speak.Look for unnecessary movement of limbs, chewingofnailsorextremelyslow movement – if these don’t go, contactapsychiatristoratrainedpsychologist,” said Dr Goyal.
Do not breach the trust of a person you are providing psychological help to, if you have to call in someone, follow these steps. “One, the first-aid provider must tell the person that they are worried and would like to call in a teacher, a counsellor and parents. Two, seek permission to call in the third party. If they don’t agree, step three should be to let them know that you cannot handle it and would tell someone. Then call in a third person for help,” said Dr Desai.