Preface : How did we get here?

Part I. Psychological first aid: the science : Psychological first aid, definition and history : Defining psychological first aid ; Development of the PFA concept ; PFA ; PFA recommended ; Core competencies of PFA ; Validation of the Johns Hopkins RAPID PFE model

Psychological consequences of trauma: what you will encounter in the field : Posttraumatic stress disorder ; Depression ; Generalized anxiety ; Panic disorder ; Substance use ; Psychophysiological stress syndromes

In the wake of disaster: the large-scale context for PFA : Types of disasters ; Natural disasters ; Technological disasters ; Human-made disasters ; War-related syndromes: a special case of human-made disaster ; Factors that increase severity

Part II. Psychological first aid: practicing the art : R : Establishing rapport and reflective listening : First things first: the practice of presence ; Empathy and rapport ; The empathic cascade: the bridge from rapport to adherence ; Historical development ; Mechanisms of action ; Demonstration of the R in RAPID model

A : Assessment: listening to the story : Screening ; Appraisal ; Cognitive indicia ; Emotional indicia ; Behavioral indicia ; Spiritual indicia ; Physiological indicia ; Demonstration of the A in RAPID model

P : Psychological triage: prioritization : Urgency! ; Psychological or behavioral instability: the crisis triad ; Putting it all together: the A-B-C model of psychological triage ; Demonstration of the P in RAPID model

I : Intervention tactics to stabilize and mitigate acute distress : Explanatory guidance ; Anticipatory guidance ; Cognitive reframing ; Stress management ; Installation of a future orientation: hope ; Enlisting the support of family and friends ; Delay making any life-altering decisions/changes ; Faith-based intervention in PFA ; When in doubt ... ; Caution! ; Demonstration of the I in RAPID model

D : Disposition and facilitating access to continued care : Where do we go from here? : Encouragement ; Resources ; Demonstration of the D in RAPID model ; Follow-up and disposition

Self-care: taking care of others begins (and ends) with taking care of yourself : The need for self-care ; Terminology ; Risk factors ; Self-care ; Developing a plan

Appendix. A breathing technique.

Psychological first aid: definition, history, and foundational research

Structure and mechanisms of psychological first aid

Psychological consequences of trauma: What you will encounter in the field

In the wake of disaster: The large-scale context for PFA

R-Rapport and reflective listening: establishing a relationship

A-Assessment: listening to the story

P-Psychological triage: prioritization

I-Intervention: tactics to stabilize and mitigate acute distress

D-Disposition: facilitating access to continued care

RAPID PFA considerations with children

Cultural awareness and psychological first aid

Expanding surge capacity: strengthening the fabric of community mental heath services

Self-care: Taking care of others begins (and ends) with taking care of yourself.