EMERGENCY PSYCHOLOGY for nursing week one

Education

1. EMERGENCY PSYCHOLOGY
RDM 311
INSTRUCTOR
MR. THADDEUS

2. Introduction
Emergencypsychologyisthestudyandapplicationofpsychologicalprinciplesinemergency,
crisis,anddisastersituations,focusingonhowindividualsandcommunitiesreact,cope,and
recoverduringandaftertraumaticevents.
Emergencypsychologyisthebranchofpsychologythatfocusesonunderstanding,
managing,andsupportingtheemotional,cognitive,andbehavioralresponsesofindividuals
andcommunitiesduringandafteremergencies,crises,anddisasters.Itdealswithhowpeople
think,feel,andbehaveincrisissituationsandhowhealthcareworkerscanprovideimmediate
psychologicalsupporttoreducetrauma,enhanceresilience,andpromoterecovery.
Accordingtointernationalguidelines,emergencypsychologyisthepracticeofproviding
psychologicalsupportandcrisisinterventionduringemergenciestoreducedistress,foster
safetyandcalmness,andpromoteadaptivefunctioningandrecovery.

3. ClinicalPerspective
Forhealthcareworkers,emergencypsychologyreferstotheintegrationofmentalhealth
supportintoemergencycare,ensuringthatpatients,families,andstaffreceiveemotional
stabilization,clearcommunication,andcopingassistancealongsidephysicaltreatment.
Emergencypsychologyistheapplicationofpsychologicalprinciplesandinterventionsto
provideimmediatesupportforpeopleexperiencingacutestress,trauma,orcrisis
situations,withtheaimofpreventinglong-termpsychologicalharm.
Disaster&CrisisContext
Emergencypsychologydealswiththestudyofhumanreactionsunderextremestress,
suchasnaturaldisasters,accidents,wars,orpandemics,andprovidestoolslike
psychologicalfirstaid(PFA),crisisintervention,andresiliencetraining

4. What is an Emergency Situation?
Anemergencysituationisasudden,unexpectedeventthatposesanimmediatethreat
tolife,health,property,ortheenvironment,requiringurgentactiontopreventworsening
outcomes.Anyeventthatthreatenslifeorhealthandrequiresimmediateactiontosave
lives,preventharm,orreducedamage.
Key Features of an Emergency Situation
Sudden Onset –occurs quickly and often without warning.
Immediate Risk –threatens life, safety, or essential services.
Need for Rapid Response –requires quick decision-making and intervention.
High Stress Environment –causes fear, confusion, and emotional distress.
Limited Time and Resources –demands effective prioritization (e.g., triage in
healthcare).

5. Examples in Healthcare
Medical Emergencies: heart attack, stroke, respiratory failure, severe bleeding.
Accidents & Injuries: road traffic accidents, burns, falls, poisoning.
Disasters: earthquakes, floods, fires, pandemics.
Violence & Security Threats: armed conflict, terrorism, mass casualty events.
Difference Between Emergency and Disaster
Emergency → A critical situation that can usually be managed with local resources (e.g.,
cardiac arrest in a hospital).
Disaster → A large-scale emergency that overwhelms local resources and requires
external assistance (e.g., earthquake destroying a city).

6. Main Goals of Emergency Psychology During Emergencies
Ensure Safety and Stability
Reduce panic, fear, and chaos.
Help individuals feel physically and emotionally safe.
Provide Immediate Psychological Support
Offer Psychological First Aid (PFA) to reduce acute stress.
Stabilize emotional reactions (shock, fear, grief).
Promote Adaptive Coping
Encourage calm, rational decision-making under stress.
Teach simple coping skills (breathing, grounding techniques).
Prevent Long-Term Psychological Problems
Reduce the risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
Early intervention helps minimize chronic mental health consequences.

7. Support Communication and Information Sharing
•Provide clear, honest, and timely information to reduce uncertainty.
•Counter rumors, misinformation, and panic behaviors.
Strengthen Social Support and Resilience
•Connect individuals with family, community, and health resources.
•Encourage teamwork and mutual support during crisis.
Assist Vulnerable Populations
•Give extra care to children, elderly, disabled, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
•Ensure no group is left behind.
Support First Responders and Healthcare Workers
•Prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.
•Provide stress management and emotional support for staff.

8. Inasummary,themaingoalsofemergencypsychologyaretoreduceimmediate
distress,protectmentalhealth,supportadaptivecoping,andbuildresilience,
ensuringbothsurvivorsandresponderscanrecoverandfunctioneffectivelyduring
andafteremergencies.

9. Key Concepts
Stress and Crisis Reactions
Acute Stress Response (“fight, flight, freeze”) –the body’s immediate reaction to threat.
Crisis Reaction Phases –shock, denial, emotional response, reorganization.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) –providing immediate emotional support and stabilization.
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress
Critical Incident Stress –intense psychological distress after emergencies.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) –long-term impact of trauma.
Resilience and Recovery –factors that help individuals adapt after trauma.

10. Cognitive and Emotional Responses in Emergencies
Fear, anxiety, confusion, and helplessness.
Risk perception and decision-making under stress.
Panic behavior vs. adaptive coping strategies.
Psychological Needs in Emergencies
Safety and Security –establishing a sense of physical and emotional safety.
Information –clear, honest communication reduces fear and uncertainty.
Support Systems –family, peers, community, and professional help

11. Vulnerable Populations
Certain groups are more at-risk during emergencies:
Children and adolescents
Elderly
People with pre-existing mental health conditions
Healthcare workers and first responders
Role of Healthcare Professionals
Recognizing early signs of psychological distress.
Providing emotional stabilizationand reassurance.
Referring patients for specialized mental health care when needed.
Supporting team resilienceand preventing burnout

12. Psychological First Aid (PFA) Principles
The WHO and Red Cross recommend:
Look –assess safety, needs, and risks.
Listen –hear concerns, fears, and priorities.
Link –connect people with information, services, and support.
Long-Term Considerations
Community mental health recovery programs.
Prevention of chronic psychological issues (e.g., PTSD, depression).
Building resilience through preparedness and training.