Emotional First Aid

Addressing Emotional Distress

A Guide for Police

As a police officer, there will be times when you need to deal with people who are emotionally distressed. Dealing with a highly distressed person can sometimes be a difficult experience. It can be hard to know what to say and what to do. This brochure provides tips on how to provide Emotional First Aid to persons who are emotionally distressed. Emotional First Aid refers to assisting a person who is emotionally distressed following a traumatic event. In the context of policing, this will usually be a person who has been victimised by crime. However, you may also come into contact with emotionally distressed persons who have been a victim of an accident or a natural disaster. The person may be the primary victim (i.e., the person directly involved in the incident), a secondary victim (i.e., a witness or friend/relative of the primary victim), or even a fellow emergency responder. Providing Emotional First Aid to an emotionally distressed person not only assists the person but it can also assist you, as a police officer, to perform your policing responsibilities. After all, a person who can think clearly is able to provide much more accurate information than someone who is emotionally distressed.

The goals of Emotional First Aid

The primary goal of Emotional First Aid is to help the person stabilise their thinking, feelings, and behaviour. Emotional First Aid achieves this by assisting the person to regain a sense of control of themselves and the situation. Assisting a victim to regain a sense of control not only helps them, but it also means they are better positioned to assist you with your policing responsibilities. Principles of Emotional First Aid: 1. Assess and Reassess Safety Always ensure your own physical safety and the safety of the victim. 2. Reassure Let the victim know that they are safe and that their reactions are to be expected under the circumstances. 3. Assist Help the victim to develop an immediate action plan. 4. Inform Provide information and resources to the victim (e.g., the contact details of support services). Some emotional first aid tips are provided on the back of this brochure. Please note that these are tips only. As an officer, you will need to determine the appropriateness of their use given the circumstances.

Reactions to Traumatic Events

It is normal for a person to react to a traumatic event. Everyone's reaction is unique. However, common reactions can include: Emotional reactions: shock, fear, anger, guilt, shame, worry, helplessness, hopelessness, numbness, or emptiness. Physical reactions: tension, fatigue, fidgeting, racing heart, easily startled, and nausea. Cognitive reactions: confusion, disorientation, indecisiveness, shortened attention span, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss. Some people may experience more serious reactions following a traumatic event. More serious reactions can include: Panic attacks; Extreme emotional numbing (i.e., completely unable to feel any emotion); Dissociation (i.e., acting as if nothing has happened or severe memory loss). In some cases, a person may become so over-whelmed by the event that they become emotionally and/or physically paralysed. That is, they are unable to think, feel, or behave in a rational manner. They may say the same things over and over, demonstrate extreme emotions including anger, or be completely unresponsive. Such a person can be very difficult to work with, but Emotional First Aid can help.

Emotional First Aid: Tips

1. Assess and Reassess Safety
Assess then regularly reassess your physical safety. Assess then regularly reassess the victims physical needs attend to these immediately.

3. Assist
Encourage the victim to make decisions. Start with simple decisions (e.g., Would you like to sit down?) and build to more important decisions. Help the victim to develop an immediate action plan: Where can they go that is safe? How will they get there? Who can they contact to stay with them? Do they have dependents that need to be provided for? Do they have any other needs such as essential medication requirements? Remember: The goal of Emotional First Aid is to help the victim regain a sense of control. It is therefore important to encourage the victim (whenever possible) to make decisions and to take action themselves.

2. Reassure
Introduce yourself by name and then position. Explain why you are there and what your role will be. If safe to do so, place yourself at the victims level (e.g., if the victim is sitting, sit alongside or in front of them). Be sure not to impinge upon the victims personal space (i.e., dont get too close - this is particularly important for victims of sexual assault). Speak in a soft voice, slightly slower than usual. Use the victims name to get their attention. Reassure the victim that they are safe. Normalise their reactions (e.g., It is normal to feel .). Listen to what the victim has to say. Avoid interrupting or hurrying the victim when they are telling their story.
Say things like: You are safe now I know this is a terrible shock You are right to feel upset This isnt your fault I dont know what to say Avoid saying things like: It could have been worse I know how you feel Calm down Dont cry Everything will be fine

4. Inform
Provide your name and contact details in writing to the victim. If appropriate, let the victim know that they can contact you. Let the victim know what will happen after you leave. Provide the contact details of appropriate support services (e.g., victim counselling services). If you need to question the person: Determine whether questioning is necessary according to operational procedures. Determine whether questioning is appropriate in the given circumstances. Ensure that the person is emotionally stable and has some sense of control. Ask permission (e.g., I need to ask you some questions, are you ready to talk to me?). Ensure privacy and conduct the interview in a place where the victim feels safe. Keep the questions short and simple. Ask open-ended questions (e.g., Can you tell me what happened?). Be prepared to repeat questions or reword difficult questions. If appropriate, assure victims of the confidentiality of their responses. Repeat back to the victim what they have said to ensure an accurate understanding. Remember: Someone who has experienced a traumatic event is not necessarily thinking clearly. Try not to confuse them further by asking lots of questions. Some questions may even induce further emotional distress. If this occurs, again reassure the victim of their safety and reinforce their immediate action plan.

Note: You may not have to say anything. Sometimes your physical presence and willingness to listen can be enough.

Dealing with an emotionally distressed person can be both mentally and physically exhausting. It can also leave you experiencing a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, helplessness, and/or numbness. These are normal reactions. However, it can become a problem if these feelings begin to interfere with your work or home life. Contact your Employee Assistance Provider or welfare officer for advice and assistance under such circumstances.

Produced by the Australasian Centre for Policing Research - www.acpr.gov.au