What is a key characteristic of psychological first aid (PFA)?

A key characteristic of psychological first aid (PFA) is that it consists of a set of core actions designed to promote safety, comfort, and emotional support to individuals who have experienced a traumatic event. These core actions include listening to individuals, assessing their needs, providing support, and facilitating connections to other resources.

This structured approach ensures that PFA can be delivered effectively by various professionals, not just those with advanced mental health training, making it an accessible and practical intervention in a variety of settings. The flexibility of PFA allows it to be applied in diverse circumstances, including disaster response, community crises, or individual trauma scenarios, thereby broadening its applicability and effectiveness in real-life situations.

The other options suggest limitations or unnecessary requirements for PFA that do not align with its fundamental purpose and inclusive nature.