Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based early intervention strategy that can reduce and mitigate psychological sequelae in response to crisis or traumatic situations. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact. No one is immune from the stress that this situation has created and persons with mental health and substance use needs are at higher risk for developing worsening symptoms. The psychological reaction to this pandemic is a normal crisis reaction to a very abnormal situation. The principles of psychological first aid can assist healthcare professionals in supporting the psychological health of the patients and communities they serve.
Dr. Jess Calohan is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and retired United States Army combat veteran with three deployments to Iraq. He has over 20 years of experience assisting Service Members and First Responders with managing traumatic/crisis events.. Dr. Calohan currently serves as the Chair, Psychiatric Mental Health Department at Frontier Nursing University and maintains a telepsychiatric practice that provides services for rural and underserved communities.