Keep this one-page panic attack support poster nearby at home, in a counselling room, school wellbeing office or workplace first-aid area for clear prompts during a difficult moment. It gives friends, parents, carers, teachers and support workers simple language and practical actions for helping a child, teenager or adult who is experiencing panic.
Calmer, more reassuring support is the outcome this panic attack help sheet is designed to encourage. It sets out eight numbered steps, beginning with staying calm and staying nearby, then using slow, simple speech and acknowledging how frightening the experience feels without dismissing it.
Practical prompts help the supporter ask what is needed rather than assume. Suggested questions include “What would help right now?”, whether anything usually helps, and whether the person would like company. The poster also advises reducing noise or activity if wanted, giving space, and never touching someone without asking.
Parents supporting children or teens, partners helping an adult, school staff, youth workers and counselling practitioners can use it as a quick panic attack response reference. It encourages supporters to follow the person’s lead, including any familiar breathing, grounding, quiet-space or coping strategies, rather than forcing an exercise.
A separate “What not to do” section warns against telling someone to calm down, overwhelming them with questions, crowding them or making light of their feelings. Aftercare prompts ask what helped and what could be done differently next time, while the medical help section advises seeking urgent help for unresponsiveness, serious illness, possible emergency symptoms or uncertainty about the cause.
