WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID?
Unlike traditional first aid, which treats physical wounds, psychological first aid focuses on unseen emotional injuries - distress, shock, or grief.
It is an evidence-based intervention designed to reduce trauma-related stress and help individuals recover emotionally after an emergency. The concept gained global momentum after the 9/11 attacks in the United States, which triggered a pressing need for structured emotional support.
In Singapore, psychological defence is one of the six pillars of Total Defence. It emphasises national resilience in the face of uncertainty or threat.
The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, changed how Singaporeans viewed mental wellbeing, said Dr Jared Ng, a psychiatrist and senior consultant at Connections MindHealth.
“People talked about social isolation, about uncertainty, how it affected themselves and other people, and made people more aware of topics like mental health,” Dr Ng told CNA.
In June, Singapore launched a national mental helpline - mindline 1771 - with trained counsellors providing round-the-clock free support to those who need it.
Its largest group of users are young working adults, followed by teenagers.
“The topic of mental health is certainly less stigmatised now. People will talk about anxiety, stress and burnout a lot more openly,” said Dr Ng.
“Now I see companies, HR teams, teachers, managers, grassroots volunteers and parents signing up … perhaps because of an encounter (with) family members having mental health distress, colleagues breaking down at work,” he added.
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