As the Association for the Struggle Against Sexual Violence, we have published Building Safe Connections with Young People After Trauma: An Introductory Guide to Psychological First Aid and Trauma-Informed Approaches as part of the What’s Up?! Youth Programme (Ne Var Ne Yok?!). The guide is now available in both Turkish and English.
This mini guide has been prepared for teachers, school counselors, social workers, youth workers, field staff, service providers, and supportive adults who work with young people. It provides essential guidance on building safe, non-judgmental, validating, and trauma-informed relationships with young people following crises and traumatic experiences.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a brief, supportive intervention provided immediately after a crisis. It is not a form of therapy or a diagnostic process; rather, it aims to help individuals regain a sense of safety and calm, access their basic needs, and realize that they are not alone.
The guide covers the core principles of Psychological First Aid—safety, calm, connectedness, self-efficacy, and hope—through practical examples, suggested phrases, do’s and don’ts, referral guidance, and quick checklists.
The mini guide also includes introductory information on trauma and its effects, the adolescent brain, trauma-informed approaches, recognizing when professional support is needed, communicating with families, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and available support mechanisms for emergencies.
We hope this publication will serve as a valuable resource for individuals and organizations working with young people by strengthening first contact during times of crisis, supporting safe referral pathways, and promoting trauma-informed practices in everyday work.
