Boy Scouts of America

Psychological First Aid

SUMMARY

The purpose of psychological first aid is to provide basic care, comfort, and support to anyone experiencing stress. Stay alert to signs of stress in yourself and others.

GENERAL INFORMATION

All of us experience stress. Family issues, the death of a loved one, natural disasters, trauma, or even exams, arguments, or breakups can be stressful. Individuals respond differently to stress, depending upon our coping mechanisms. Negative symptoms of stress include physical complaints, behavioral changes, or emotional instability. Results may be devastating when people can’t find ways to cope effectively with what happened.

Some symptoms of poor coping strategies include:

  • Excessive alcohol or drug use
  • Not taking care of oneself
  • Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities
  • Blaming others
  • Overeating or failing to eat
  • Working too much
  • Too much time spent alone
  • Violent reactions or conflict with others

How to Help

  • Listen and strive to be kind, calm, and compassionate.
  • Respond to basic needs and provide a safe place.
  • Seek professional counseling when necessary.
  • Get adequate rest and eat healthy meals.
  • As much as possible, maintain a normal schedule.
  • Use relaxation methods such as breathing exercises, meditation, listening to soothing music, etc.
  • Encourage positive, distracting activities like Scouting, sports, reading, and exercising in moderation.
  • Just as with physical injuries, allow adequate time for healing.

Be aware that as a caregiver, you too may encounter increased stress. Be alert to your own needs. Some of the interventions above may apply to you as well.

When You Can’t Help

Stress can sometimes require professional mental health assistance. If a person shows extreme reactions that don’t improve or seem to worsen—and especially if they express a desire or intent to harm themselves or others—you should immediately help them find a qualified caregiver. In addition, professionals may need to intervene if someone cannot be calmed down, has irrational fears, uses poor judgment, or cannot sleep.

REFERENCES

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.