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| U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway/Released. |
In times of heightened conflict, providers seek resources that address situations that involve acute stress and crisis response. International conflicts and wars represent two such periods of heightened conflict; but, providers are encouraged to review the following resources for any situation in which they support those in acutely distressing situations. These resources have been developed in collaboration with APA Division 19, the Society for Military Psychology, and its members.
Please note that we have sourced information from a number of reliable sources. Resources are reviewed on an ongoing basis, so please consider visiting this page over time to view additional materials. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) or the Henry M. Jackson Foundation of the linked websites or the information, products or services contained therein.
Resources for Crisis and Situations Involving Acute Stress:
The following resources were created to be brief, targeted videos and handouts intended to support any individual (including behavioral health providers) helping those in acute or crisis situations. These resources were created for immediate use by an individual, even if he/she/they has had limited past experience or training with the topic. CDP wishes to extend its gratitude to the multitude of individuals and institutions that offered their expertise and collaborated to generate resources with the hopes that they will be used and shared to support anyone in a crisis situation.
Responding to a TBI: This brief handout provides information on key considerations when screening for and responding to a Traumatic Brain Injury.
MACE 2: The Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE) is a multimodal tool that assists providers and medics in the assessment and diagnosis of concussion. English and Ukrainian versions are available.
Sleep During Crisis: This brief video highlights how to address sleep concerns during crisis situations.
Combat Stress Reaction:This handout functions as a “pocket card,” describing how to respond to an individual in a combat situation experiencing a stress reaction.
Dealing with Combat Stress Reactions:This handout provides guidance for recognizing and responding to mild and more serious stress actions. It has more detailed information than the Combat Stress Reactions handout.
Stress First Aid (SFA): This collection of videos and handouts was created using the expertise and collaboration of various groups, including the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) and the National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD). The SFA materials provide direct, easy-to-understand guidance on how helpers can provide psychosocial support in crisis situations. The series includes an important section on helper self-care and coworker support.
Strategies for Military Families and Children: This brief handout offers information on how to support military families and children at times of significant change or crisis.
Military Family Resources:
Blue Star Families Everyone Serves Resource Page: https://everyoneservesbook.com/resources.php
Everyone Serves eBook: https://everyoneservesbook.com/ebook.php
CDP family resources page
COVID-19 Military family section
FOCUS, offering family resilience training: https://focusproject.org
Sesame Street for Military Families, including information on "Grief" and "Injuries": https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
Military Child Education Coalition's suggested resources to support families during war time: https://www.militarychild.org/resourcesukrainianfamilies
NCSTN's Psychological First Aid for Displaced Children and Families: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/pfa-for-displaced-children-and-families
NCTSN's "Talking to Children About War"
NCTSN's "Age-Related Reactions to Trauma"
UNICEF Tip Sheet: "Supporting Your Child During a Bombing"
Child-Focused Programs and Papers:
The BASIC Ph Model for School-Age Children: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/mental-health-resources/trauma/how-children-cope-with-ongoing-threat-and-trauma
Slone & Shoshani (2017) article "Children Affected by War and Armed Conflict: Parental Protective Factors and Resistance to Mental Health Symptoms" : https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01397/full
Field et al (2017) Helping the Weeping, Worried, and Willful
Baggerley (2006) "Preparing Play Therapists for Disaster Response: Principles and Practices"
International Review of the Red Cross (2019) "Living Through War: Mental health of children and youth in conflict-affected areas"
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (https://www.nctsn.org/) offers resources, training, and information for traumatized children and families. Their website has many resources.
NCTSN has a downloadable pocket card summarizing the Psychological First Aid (PFA) eight core actions, with child-friendly pictures and useful terms for providers working with children. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-wallet-card
NCTSN has a handout describing how to talk to children about war. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/talking-to-children-about-war
Trauma-Focused Materials:
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) has many handouts and fact sheets available to those supporting individuals with stress and trauma experiences.
CSTS Fact Sheet Search Engine: https://www.cstsonline.org/fact-sheet-menu/fact-sheet-search
CSTS: Military Leadership in Stressful Situations
CSTS: Military Leadership Grief and Tragedy
CSTS:Sustaining Psychological Well-being of Caregivers
CSTS: Leadership Communication Anticipating Responding to Stressful Events
CSTS: Provider Guildelines Helping Combat Injured Families
CSTS: Funerals and Memorials A Part of Recovery
The National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) has developed many manuals, handouts, and apps to support individuals experiencing symptoms of PTSD and those who support them.
NCPTSD developed a manual of psychological first aid (PFA): https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/psych_firstaid_manual.asp
NCPTSD has provided information to support veterans when there is world conflict: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/veterans_coping_events.asp
NCPTSD's PTSD Coach App: PTSD Coach - PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov)
Other mental health apps developed by NCPTSD: Mobile Apps - PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has developed many materials related to utilizing Psychological First Aid (PFA).
NCTSN has a mobile app supporting use of Psychological First Aid: PFA Mobile The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (nctsn.org)
NCTSN has a website with PFA materials translated for use in many countries and contexts:https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-field-operations-guide-2nd-edition
The Inner-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) has created a website with translated materials related to efforts with PFA.
INEE has provided links to The World Health Organization (WHO) published manuals supporting Psychological First Aid, available in several languages: https://inee.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-guide-field-workers
SAMHSA has developed general guidelines for responding to trauma in its Guidance for Trauma-Informed Care: https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
The Trauma Resource Institute provides information and trainings to support those responding to trauma: https://www.traumaresourceinstitute.com/
The Inter Agency Standing Committee (https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/) has produced materials for behavioral health providers and civilians that may be specific to geographic regions experiencing increased conflict. See, for example: https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-reference-group-mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-emergency-settings/iasc-mhpss-resources-ukrainian-language-available