Supporting Someone When It Matters

Psychological First Aid is about providing calm, practical and compassionate support to someone experiencing distress. This course introduces simple approaches that can help you recognize common reactions to stressful or difficult events, provide immediate support, and help someone connect with appropriate resources when additional help is needed. You do not need to be a mental health professional to provide meaningful support. Sometimes knowing how to approach, listen and respond can make an important difference.

What You’ll Learn

Build practical skills for supporting people during stressful or difficult situations.

  • Recognize common reactions to stress and difficult events

  • Approach and support someone who may be struggling

  • Listen calmly and communicate with empathy

  • Help promote safety, comfort and practical coping

  • Recognize when additional or professional support may be needed

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Psychological First Aid (PFA)

    • PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID - Let's get through this together

    • PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID

    • OBJECTIVES

  • 2

    SECTION 1: STRESS AND DISASTERS

    • WHAT IS A “DISASTER”?

    • IMPACT OF DISASTERS

    • COMMON REACTIONS TO DISASTER STRESS

    • HOW LONG DO THESE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS LAST?

    • The 3 R's

    • CHILDREN AND ELDERS CAN BE PARTICULARY SENSITIVE

    • Section 1: Quiz
  • 3

    Section 2: PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID

    • PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID (PFA)

    • THE GOAL OF PFA

    • CORE ACTIONS OF PFA

    • TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

    • MAKE A CONNECTION WITH SURVIVORS

    • OFFER SAFETY AND COMFORT

    • SEEK IMMEDIATE PROFESSIONAL HELP IF:

    • STABILIZATION

    • INFORMATION GATHERING

    • INFO GATHERING (Cont.)

    • OFFER PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE

    • CONNECTION WITH SOCIAL SUPPORTS

    • Provide Information on Coping

    • Common Stress Reactions Following Disaster Events

    • EXPLAIN THAT THESE FEELINGS ARE NORMAL

    • Coping Techniques To Suggest

    • Link to Collaborative Services

    • Section 2: Quiz
  • 4

    Lesson 3: PRACTICINGPSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID MODULE 3

    • USING BODY LANGUAGE EFFECTIVELY

    • AVOID CERTAIN BODY POSITIONS

    • SAY THE RIGHT THINGS

    • AVOID SAYING THE WRONG THINGS

    • PRACTICAL EXERCISE - ROLE PLAYING

    • PRACTICAL EXERCISE #1

    • PRACTICAL EXERCISE #2

    • PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN CANADA

    • MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND AGENCIES AVAILABLE IN CANADA