Chapter 3 "Basic Principles of Psychological Guidance"

Disaster counseling includes both listening and coaching.For survivors, it is beneficial to tell about the experience of the disaster, to get help or to know how to get help.The next chapter will provide targeted suggestions for psychological rescuers. A concerned look, calm reassurance, and attentive listening by the psychological rescuer can all get a response from the survivor.Relation here refers to attraction and understanding born of genuine concern.Forging such connections requires respect and non-judgment. When you gather information through your ears, eyes, and "extrasensory signals," you can listen more effectively and better understand a survivor's situation and needs. Here are some listening tips:

"Allow silence" - Silence gives survivors time to reflect and acknowledge their feelings.Silence can prompt more detailed descriptions by survivors.Simply being with the survivor, with their past (listening), is effective support. "Non-verbal listening"—eye contact, nodding, concerned facial expressions, and the occasional "uh, oh" lets the survivor know you're paying attention. "Paraphrasing" - When you repeat part of what the survivor said, this shows understanding, concern and empathy.Paraphrasing also checks that you got it right and lets the survivor know that he is being heard.Common introductory words are: You just said...; I heard you say...

"Responding to feelings" - You may notice the survivor's tone of voice or nonverbal gestures that suggest anger, sadness, or fear.A response such as, "You sound angry (panicked, etc.) is that true?" This will help the survivor identify and articulate their emotions. "Allow free expression of emotions" - Allowing the survivor to vent their inner emotions through tears or anger is important to recovery; this often helps survivors release their emotions to better and constructively solve problems.You should remain relaxed, speak softly, and let the survivor know that whatever they are feeling is normal.

? These reactions to disaster are normal. ? It is quite understandable that you feel this way. ? You'll be fine. ? It's not your fault, you tried your best. ?Life will not go back to the way it used to be, but it will get better and you will get better.? ? Things could be even worse. ? You can also buy new pets/cars/new houses later.? ? If you can keep yourself busy, that's fine.? ? I understand how you feel. ? Your life has to go on. The "don'ts" listed above express the good wishes of people who want to change the suffering situation of the survivor or make the survivor feel better.However, such discourse may leave survivors feeling underappreciated, misunderstood, or even more alone.Psychological rescuers should allow survivors to have their own experiences, feelings and thoughts.

5. Solve the problem The stress of a disaster can often confuse survivors and make it difficult to plan.Some survivors become depressed or hyperactive because of the shock.Psychological rescuers can help them determine their priorities and focus on solving problems by following these steps. "Describe the problem/challenge you are currently facing" Pick a problem that needs to be solved first, and focus on it.Problems that are relatively easy to solve should be chosen, as quick successes are important to restore a survivor's sense of control and confidence in things. "How have you coped with stress in your life before?"

"How do you feel now?" By observing, questioning, and understanding the severity of the problem and the magnitude of the loss, the psychological rescuer can get a general idea of ​​the survivor's ability to cope with the situation.Based on this assessment, counselors can advise survivors about their coping strengths and help them seek social support.Psychological rescuers can also seek advice in medicine, psychology, psychoanalysis, and disaster assistance. "Is there anyone who can help you with this problem?" "What can help you?" Explore available resources for help and support that may be available to survivors, including family members, relatives, friends, churches, healthcare professionals, etc.; and how survivors can get their help.Arrange survivors to appropriate aid agencies, assess whether survivors have the ability to communicate with them and complete the necessary application procedures.Help survivors find these resources when needed.

"What are the steps to go through to solve this problem?" Encourage the survivor to speak up about what he or she plans to do and how to do it.Offer to contact the survivor after a few days to monitor the status of the plan.If a psychic rescuer promises to do something for a survivor, he must do what he says.Commit to what you can do, not what you want to do. 6. A Word of Caution Faced with a disaster survivor's strong desire for help, rescuers will have the urge to do everything in their power to help.The urge is understandable, but rescuers can get too involved and do too much for the survivor, and it's often not the best way to help a survivor.Because only when survivors are given the ability to solve their own problems, they will be more aware of their ability to deal with future challenges.Responders should be clear about the scope of their role in disaster relief and recognize that solving problems for survivors is different than letting them solve problems themselves.

7. Respect for privacy Those who help have certain privileges.Helping a survivor means sharing his questions, worries, anxieties, and sometimes even getting personal.This special sharing cannot be achieved without trust and mutual respect, and the recognition of the privacy of the conversation.Under no circumstances should it be mentioned without the recipient's consent (except in an emergency where the recipient is about to harm themselves or others).Remember, the privilege of helping can only exist if trust and respect with the survivor is maintained. 8. Circumstances requiring mental health services

When staff come across survivors of major disasters or complex situations, it is (sometimes necessary) to refer them to mental health or other health professionals.The following reactions, behaviors, and symptoms indicate that a survivor requires appropriate professional consultation from staff and, in most cases, further assistance. "Disorientation" - dizziness, memory loss, can't tell the date or time, can't tell where you are, can't remember what happened in the past 24 hours, or don't understand what's going on. • Depression - feelings of hopelessness and a persistent belief that one is unworthy, unqualified, isolated, and unable to participate in productive activities.

"Anxiety" - long-term tension, restless mood, panic, insomnia, frequent nightmares, recalling horrible episodes one after another, inability to concentrate, always worrying about disasters coming again, involuntarily recalling disasters repeatedly. Mental illness—auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, paranoia, preoccupation with a single thought, marked speech stress (for example, very fast speech with incoherent content) ? Inability to take care of oneself - not eating, bathing, changing clothes, or taking care of oneself in daily life. ? Thoughts or plans to commit suicide or homicide

? Addicted to alcohol or drugs ? Domestic violence, child or elder abuse