Deconstructing Psychological First Aid

 Objective(s) of the Activity:

1. To introduce students to the core principles and practical applications of Psychological First Aid (PFA).
2. To enhance emotional preparedness and empathy among students for real-life helping situations.
3. To strengthen the department’s focus on skill-based learning and mental health advocacy in alignment with NAAC’s criteria for holistic student development.

Activity Overview:

The Psychology Department, in collaboration with the Thrive Tribe, organized a session titled “Deconstructing Psychological First Aid” on 7th October 2025 in the College Auditorium as a part of the mental health week celebration. The session aimed to familiarize students with the concept, need, and techniques of Psychological First Aid (PFA), emphasizing its relevance in today’s world where individuals frequently encounter stress, trauma, and crisis situations.

The resource person for the session was Dr. Urvita Bhatia, Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is a psychologist and clinical researcher working in India, at Sangath, a mental health research NGO, and has focused her efforts on interventional research for more than a decade. Through an engaging presentation, Ms. Bhatia explained the Look–Listen–Link model of PFA and highlighted the importance of active listening, empathy, and maintaining boundaries while offering support.

The interactive component included discussions and demonstrations that enabled participants to understand how to apply PFA principles in different contexts such as accidents, natural disasters, or emotional distress. The session concluded by shedding light on skills that are required to provide Psychological First Aid.

Outcomes of the Activity:

• Students gained a clear understanding of the core components and ethical considerations of Psychological First Aid.
• The activity fostered awareness about the importance of psychological support in emergency and community contexts.
• The session encouraged proactive mental health engagement and peer support culture within the college.

Beneficiaries: