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FELM Training: Community Based Psychosocial Support

October 30-November 1

What Does Psychosocial Mean?
Psychosocial is a mixed word that is used to describe the psychological and social aspects of a persons well-
being
Psycho describes a persons internal well-being
o Mental well-being, spiritual well-being
Social describes a persons external well-being
o How they interact with other people

The Broader Context Very Bad Events in the Community
Sometimes, there are very bad events that happen in a community. One example is a flood. When there is a
flood in a community, many bad things can happen. Sometimes, families are separated and do not know where
each other are. Sometimes, their houses are destroyed. Sometimes, their rice fields are destroyed. Sometimes,
people in the community die because of the flood.
When these things happen, it is normal for people to be affected a lot. Sometimes, people react by losing hope
for the future. Sometimes, they blame god. Sometimes, they think that they could have done something before
to help. Sometimes, they have a lot of fear. It is very normal for people to have these reactions.

How Should we Respond to these Situations?
When there is a very bad event in a community, such as a flood, there are many things that need to be done.
o Some people will need safety and basic health assistance, such as a safe place to live and sleep and
something to eat and drink.
These things can be done by the community, by the government, and by NGOs
o A few people (2-4%) will need psychological well-being help such as in depth counseling
These things should be done by professionals such as counselors or therapists
o Most people need support from the community that brings stability in their lives, involves them in the
life of the community, brings a sense of normalcy, and gives them some hope for the future.
For example: families reuniting together, religious services starting again, school starting again,
income generating programs
These things can be done by the community. They do not need to be done by professional
people. They are things that community people can do to recover from the bad event in their
community

One Specific Tool: Psychological First Aid (PFA)
PFA is a tool that everyday community members can use as a first step to help others who have been affected by
a very bad event in the community. For example, someone can do PFA with a person whose house has just been
destroyed or has just been involved in a fatal traffic accident
o It is not counseling and does not need to be done by professionals
PFA has three parts: Look, Listen, and Link
o Look
Look to see if there are people who need support
o Listen
Approach people who may need support
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Listen to them, help them to feel calm and safe
Ask them about their needs and concerns
o Link
Help people to contact family
Help people to contact other services, such as hospital care

An example of PFA
In a village, a flood has washed away three houses and there is a child missing.
o Look
When you arrive at the village, you see one woman who is crying and looks very stressed.
o Listen
You approach the woman. You ask her what her name is and what is going on. She says that her
child is missing. You help her to feel safe and ask if she has already called any relatives or the
police.
o Link
She has not called her family or the police. You call the police to help investigate and she borrows
your phone to call relatives. She tells them she is ok, but explains about the missing child. You
stay with her until the family and police arrives.