Emotional First Aid

Emotional First Aid

When a tragedy occurs, people are often overwhelmed by shock, confusion, and intense emotion. In these early moments, survivors may struggle to process information, make decisions, or even understand what they are feeling.

Emotional First Aid (EFA) is the compassionate, practical support offered during the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. It focuses on presence, listening, and helping people regain a sense of safety and connection when everything feels uncertain.

Emotional First Aid does not attempt to fix the situation, explain the loss, or take away pain. Instead, it meets survivors where they are—emotionally and physically—offering calm, respectful support during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

EFA can be provided by trained volunteers, first responders, professionals, and everyday people who want to help but may not know what to say or do.

What Emotional First Aid Is — and Is Not

Emotional First Aid is:

• Being present with compassion

• Listening without judgment or pressure

• Validating a survivor’s experience

• Helping people feel less alone during crisis

Emotional First Aid is not:

• Counseling or therapy

• Giving advice or explanations

• Minimizing pain or rushing healing

• Telling survivors how they should feel

The goal of EFA is not to “make things better,” but to help survivors feel supported, understood, and safe in the moment.

When Emotional First Aid Matters Most

Emotional First Aid is especially important during what we refer to as the Horrible Hours—the first hours following a traumatic event. During this time, survivors may experience numbness, confusion, emotional flooding, guilt, anger, or fear.

Understanding what happens during these early moments helps helpers respond with patience, humility, and realistic expectations.

Explore Emotional First Aid

The following pages explore different aspects of Emotional First Aid. They can be read in any order. Choose what feels most helpful right now.

• The Horrible Hours

• Trauma Responses

• Talking to Survivors

• Guiding Principles of Emotional First Aid

• Emotional First Aid Is Powerful

• Get Yourself Out of the Way

• What to Say

• The Self-Aware Helper: Get Yourself out of the Way

Emotional First Aid in Practice

Emotional First Aid is built around five core skills that guide how helpers show up during crisis. These skills emphasize human connection, validation, and safety rather than problem-solving or fixing.

Together, these skills help survivors feel grounded, supported, and less alone during moments of intense distress.

Printable Emotional First Aid Guides

For quick reference, sharing, or use in the field, printable guides are available that summarize key Emotional First Aid concepts. These guides are designed to be simple, accessible, and supportive during difficult moments. Printable Guides

A Final Thought

You do not need special words, training, or answers to offer Emotional First Aid. What matters most is your willingness to be present, to listen, and to acknowledge another person’s pain with compassion.

Often, it is not what we say that helps the most, but the fact that we stayed.