Canadian Red Cross Blog: Why you need to learn Psychological First Aid

CBC Feature: How do you respond to a mental health emergency?

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Canadian Red Cross: Psychological First Aid

Description: The Psychological First Aid course equips learners in developing a personal understanding of the effects of stress, loss, trauma and grief on others, with emphasis on self-care and personal protection. Learners will be introduced to the Red Cross LOOK, LISTEN, LINK, LIVE model - a resiliency-building approach to emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing that teaches learners how to support themselves and others to cope with the effects of various types of stress. The course uses primarily case-based learning and includes the latest evidence from the international community.

Audience: Course is adaptable to all audiences (Youth, Workplace, Professional Responder)

Note for Course Participants: While mental health first aid programs teach how to help someone experiencing a mental health emergency, Red Cross Psychological First Aid is a resiliency-based program for everyone that offers prevention and coping strategies for dealing with different types of stress resulting from various types of trauma.

Duration:* Classroom - 13-14 hours (2 days) - 9:00am - 4:00 pm (Both days) *(Time dependant on the fluid nature of the course and experience of the attendees)

Instructor: Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid Instructor

Prerequisites:

• 18 years of age (recommended)

Completion: Successfully participate in 100% of the 13-15 hours in-class course.

*There is no evaluation component for the classroom-based course.

Certification: 3-year certification in Psychological First Aid

Course Content: Case-based learning and discussion will be tailored to the audience and include the following content:

• Introduction to Red Cross
• Case Studies
• Psychological First Aid
• Operational Principles
• Stress, Distress
• Loss and Grief
• Trauma
• Indicators
• Vulnerable Populations
• Supportive Communication
• Look, Listen, Link, Live
• Resiliency and Protective Factors
• Protection
• Policies, Legislation
• Self-Care

Participant Materials (Will be provided at the course):

• Psychological First Aid Workbook
• Look, Listen, Link, Live - Key chain cards