Under the coordination of Uskudar University Continuous Education Application and Research Center (ÜSEM), "Psychological First Aid in Natural Disasters" training took place. In the free training, ÜSEM and AİLEMER Director Dr. Lecturer Mert Akcanbaş spoke about the importance of psychological first aid. Akcanbaş stated; "Psychological first aid is an approach that can be applied to children, young people, adults, family members, or professionals dealing with these cases after the event occurs in disasters or other types of trauma."
"It is not a psychotherapeutic approach, everyone can apply it"
In the online event, ÜSEM and AİLEMER Director Dr. Lecturer Mert Akcanbaş emphasized that the psychological first aid technique in natural disasters can be applied by everyone to maintain the strong psychology of trauma victims. Akcanbaş stated; "I want to emphasize the important points that need attention. We may not be psychologists, or we may not be interested in becoming one. The unique aspect of psychosocial support starts here. This is not a psychotherapeutic approach. It can be applied by everyone. The psychological part of first aid sounds like a technique that psychologists would apply, but it's not. What is said here is about addressing techniques to be used in first aid to improve human psychology. Psychology is also part of it, but only as much as it is in the life of a normal, ordinary person. It is not a situation that requires expertise."
"Our aim is to enable people to continue from where they left off"
Akcanbaş also provided information on the purpose of psychological first aid and to whom it can be applied; "Psychological first aid is an approach that can be applied to children, young people, adults, family members, or professionals dealing with these cases after the event occurs in disasters or other types of trauma. Our aim is to enable people to continue their lives from where they left off without losing their life functions, to reduce the stress caused by events, to prevent victims from entering chronic stress in the long term, and to teach them how to cope with emerging psychological problems."
"Adhere to the emergency response system applied in the region"
Dr. Mert Akcanbaş listed the important points in psychological first aid as follows:
- Always adhere to the emergency response system applied in the region,
- Be an example to victims in approaching events in a healthy way; be calm, gentle, organized, and helpful,
- Be visible and accessible,
- Pay attention to the privacy of personal life,
- Always stay within the limits of your area of expertise and duty,
- Provide victims with expert information they can refer to if needed,
- Pay attention to traditions and customs, and topics that are sensitive to the community,
- Protect your own physical and psychological health.
"Children always need to feel loved"
Dr. Mert Akcanbaş stated that the most vulnerable groups are earthquake-affected children who have lost their parents; "Unfortunately, children's traumatic lives are just beginning. They are now becoming more susceptible to trauma. Children always need to feel loved. It is not right to approach them as if you pity them."
"Identify the most urgent needs"
Dr. Mert Akcanbaş listed the steps to be taken in practical aid as follows:
- Identify the most urgent needs,
- Confirm the needs to ensure understanding,
- Determine the solutions,
- Implement the solution.