Don’ts • Don’t ask the person for any money or favor for helping them. • Don’t make false promises or give false information. • Don’t exaggerate your skills. • Don’t force help on people, nor be intrusive or pushy. • Don’t pressure people to tell their stories. • Don’t share the person’s story with others. • Don’t judge the person for their actions or feelings. Adapting to a Person’s Culture During PFA Whenever there is a crisis event, there are often people of various cultural backgrounds among the affected population, including minorities or marginalized communities. Culture determines how we relate to people, and what is all right and not to say and do. For example, it is not customary for a person to share feelings with someone outside their family in some cultures. In others, it may only be appropriate for women to speak with other women, or perhaps dress a certain way or cover themselves. You may find yourself working with people of backgrounds different from your own. As a helper, it is important to be aware of your own cultural background and beliefs so you can set aside your own biases. Offer help in ways that are most appropriate and comfortable to the people you are supporting. Each crisis situation is unique. Apply this guide to the current context, considering local social and cultural norms. See the following box for questions to consider before providing PFA in different cultures. DRESS Training Module on the Right to Mental Health for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) • Don’t exploit your relationship as a helper. • Do I need to dress a certain way to be respectful? • Will impacted people be in need of certain clothing items to keep their dignity and customs? LANGUAGE • What language do they speak? • What is the customary way of greeting people in this culture? GENDER, AGE, AND AUTHORITY • Should affected women only be approached by women helpers? • Who may I approach? (In other words, the head of the family or community?) 8