Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of Psychology Assist. Prof. Dr. Mert Akcanbaş met with educators from Güngören, Bağcılar, and Eyüp Guidance and Research Centers. In the program held via Zoom, Akcanbaş made evaluations regarding 'Psychological First Aid.'
"Psychological first aid is not therapy"
Emphasizing that psychological first aid is not therapy, Akcanbaş stated: 'Psychological first aid is not therapy. It is administered to everyone who encounters traumatic events. The primary goal of this first aid is to establish a non-threatening, non-disturbing relationship with victims at the scene, ensure physical safety, fulfill the person's immediate needs, and enable individuals to communicate with their close environment after traumatic events.'
"Not every event is a trauma!"
Stating that trauma refers to injuries that emerge suddenly, triggering people's fundamental fears and cannot heal without external help, Akcanbaş said: 'Not every event is a trauma. Trauma emerges suddenly. Traumas also cause stress. Individuals show some reactions after trauma. They constantly recall the event, avoid everything that reminds them of the trauma they experienced. They are constantly tense. They also experience sleep and concentration disorders.'
"The most important rule in psychological first aid is to establish a secure bond"
Akcanbaş stated the rules of psychological first aid as follows: 'The most important rule is to establish a secure bond. When speaking with a person who has experienced trauma, it is important to communicate in simple sentences that they can understand. When speaking with them, one must focus and listen very carefully. Individuals who have experienced trauma often feel guilt. Therefore, their actions during the trauma should be acknowledged with appreciation.'