What is a recommended practice when handling emotional distress from a survivor?

Supporting a survivor in expressing their emotions is essential in providing psychological first aid. This approach validates their feelings, which is crucial for emotional healing. When individuals experience distressing events, they often have a flood of emotions such as grief, anger, or confusion. Encouraging survivors to openly express these emotions can help them process their experiences and begin to make sense of the situation.

By fostering an environment where they feel safe to share their feelings, you help reduce feelings of isolation and promote resilience. This supportive interaction is fundamental to rebuilding their emotional strength and contributes to their overall recovery.

In contrast, urging someone to forget their feelings can lead to emotional suppression, which may exacerbate distress in the long run. Providing only facts without emotional input may come across as dismissive, failing to acknowledge what the survivor is going through. While advising someone to seek professional help can be beneficial, it does not replace the immediate emotional support that expressing feelings can provide.