Call for papers for Mental Health and Psychological First Aid special issue

Posted by Emily Oliver on 2024-04-16

This is a call for papers for our Mental Health and Psychological First Aid special issue. Mental health, like physical health, affects us all and is described as a continuum that can be influenced by our physical health, life experiences, social, and environmental contexts (World Health Organization 2022). We are all vulnerable to challenges with our mental health, and all experience it differently. However, humanitarian crises such as conflict, exposure to traumatic events, socio-economic deprivation, health inequalities, and discrimination can increase our risk. Recognition of the adverse impact of trauma and disaster and risks to psychological health is of paramount humanitarian importance, to ensure tools for individual and community resilience alongside effective support to reduce suffering and promote healing.

In partnership with the International Federation of the Red Cross Psychosocial Centre, the International Journal of First Aid Education (IJFAE) is collating a special issue to explore key research and literature related to the field of mental health and psychological first aid education across differing scopes of practice and contexts. We seek submissions that address this important humanitarian issue. Authors are encouraged to submit empirical research, literature or curriculum reviews, reflections from the field, and practice examples. Suggestions for authors are outlined below and are alligned to the IJFAE Chain of Survival Behaviors, however, these are non-restrictive, and discussion with the editorial team is encouraged for support.

Chain of Survival Behaviors

Suggestions for authors

Prevent & Prepare: to be alert and preventative in regard to risks and hazards

· Build upon innate resilience - social linkages, community resources, basic services

· Barriers and challenges to implementing PFA within different contexts.

· Prevention of psychological distress in first responders

· Preparation and capacity building to respond

· Sustainability of first aid education

Early Recognition: seeing and understanding the need for intervention

· Signs & Symptoms, Including: tools for identification or triage

· Physical and mental health interface; including acute trauma induced and exacerbations of chronic issues

· Mental health across the lifespan

Access Help: response to recognition of the need for specialist help

· Contextual variations of support

· International or regional comparisons & recommendations

· Considerations for integration within existing services

· Practices/factors contributing to the resilience of communities/individuals

· Strengthening and caring for the workforce

First Aid: application of relevant skills and behaviour

· Evidence-based first aid approaches to supporting people in distress

· Psychological first aid education programmes

· Community networks

· Trauma informed approach and responding to symptoms of trauma

· Integrating psychosomatic approaches

· Diversity/ Cultural care resources

Advanced Care: understanding of the need for specialist skills

· Resources (formal and informal) in community

· Connecting Psychological/Mental Health First Aid principles to specialised care

· Models of mental health triage

Self-Recovery: actions and approaches to reduce personal harm and suffering

· Self-care strategies, including self-recognition of stress

· Approaches to holistic wellbeing; including for lay and professional responders

· Health promotion and advocacy

· Post traumatic growth