The emotional stability of adults is absolutely necessary to support children. Therefore, during meetings with parents and guardians in children's spaces working within the PROMESSA project: "Pearl" — in Novovodolazka, "Kryla" — in Zlatopilska, "Zherelo" in Tomakivska communities, attention is paid to the provision of first psychological assistance.
Psychological First Aid (PPD) – is a humane supportive action aimed at a person who has experienced a complex, crisis-ridden event and may need support.
PPD includes:
- unobtrusive provision of practical help and support, returning a person's ability to be self-reliant;
- assessment of the complexity of a person's condition and his urgent needs, including basic ones, for example: food, water, information;
- support and reassurance of a person, active listening, but without forcing to talk and discuss the details of a traumatic event, without assessments, pressure or advice; providing assistance in obtaining information, establishing contact with relatives, with services and social support structures;
- protecting people from further harm;
PPD is not professional psychological help, it can be provided by any person who knows the rules of PPD and feels enough strength to provide it. PPD is not medical help or diagnosis.
PPD is intended for people in a state of stress due to a recently experienced severe crisis event. You can provide such assistance to both adults and children. However, not every person who has experienced a crisis event needs PPD or wants to get it.
Do not impose help on those who do not want to receive it, but be available to those who may need support.
PPD is usually provided during or immediately after an emergency event. At this time, take care of your safety and the safety of those who need support.
There are PPD rules that are important to follow.
When providing PPD, find a quiet place to talk, minimize external influences. Respect privacy. Be close to a person, but keep your distance, take into account the age, gender and cultural traditions of that person. Demonstrate that you are listening, be patient and calm. Be understanding of a person's reluctance to speak. Provide reliable information if you have it. Honestly say what you know and what – doesn't. "I don't know, but I'll try to find out". Provide Information so that a person understands you – speak simple language with calm intonation.
The project "PROMESSA: Protection of children, response to emergency situations and health care for the most vulnerable families affected by the conflict in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions" is implemented by the NGO "Association of Democratic Development" in partnership with the branch of the foundation "Ter des Om Italy ETS" in Україні (TDH Italy) Terre des Hommes Italia in Ucraina. The project is financed by Italian Cooperation. And it is implemented with the aim of strengthening mental health and improving the social adaptation of children and their families who suffered from the war in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
