Description

Psychology First Aid Training Course Overview:

This course provides an overview of psychological first aid and how to provide it to others. The course is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to support people who are experiencing difficulties following a stressful event.

What you will learn:

– How to recognise when someone might need psychological first aid

– How to approach and support someone who needs psychological first aid

– The basics of providing psychological first aid

– Where to go for more information and support

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Course Content:

1. Introduction to Psychological First Aid:

– What is psychological first aid?

– Why is it important?

– Who can benefit from psychological first aid?

2. Recognising When Someone Might Need Psychological First Aid:

– What are the signs that someone might need psychological first aid?

– How can you tell if someone is in distress?

– What should you do if you are unsure whether someone needs help?

3. Approaching and Supporting Someone Who Needs Psychological First Aid:

– How can you approach someone who might need help?

– What should you say to someone who needs psychological first aid?

– How can you provide support to someone who needs psychological first aid?

– Listening and talking

– Providing comfort and reassurance

– Helping with practical needs

– When should you seek professional help?

4. The Basics of Providing Psychological First Aid:

– What are the principles of psychological first aid?

– What are the steps of providing psychological first aid?

5. Where to Go for More Information and Support:

– Where can you find more information about psychological first aid?

– Where can you find support if you need it?

– Helplines

– Websites

– Books

– Organizations

6. Conclusion:

– Key points to remember

– Further reading and resources

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Sneak Peak and Glossary:

Psychological first aid is an evidence-based set of practices designed to reduce the initial distress caused by exposure to traumatic events and to promote long-term coping and recovery. It is based on the premise that providing support immediately following a traumatic event can help prevent or mitigate the development of chronic psychological problems.

The three pillars of psychological first aid are: 1) safety, 2) calming, and 3) connection. These pillars provide a framework for understanding and responding to stress reactions in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event.

Safety is paramount after a traumatic event. It is important to ensure that both the individual and those around them are safe from further harm. This may involve providing physical first aid, assisting with evacuation or sheltering in place, and helping to secure personal belongings.

Calming refers to activities that help reduce the physiological arousal that often accompanies trauma exposure. This may involve deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery. It is also important to provide individuals with information about what to expect in the days and weeks following a traumatic event.

Connection refers to the importance of social support in the aftermath of trauma. Isolation can increase distress, so it is important to promote connectedness by maintaining contact with loved ones, joining a support group, or seeking professional help. It is also important to provide opportunities for individuals to tell their story and be heard in a supportive setting.

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Glossary:

– Psychological first aid: An evidence-based set of practices designed to reduce the initial distress caused by exposure to traumatic events and to promote long-term coping and recovery.

– Traumatic event: An event that overwhelse This Course Outline Which Is Provided By The American Red Cross Involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others and that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror.

– Stress reactions: A response to a perceived threat that triggers the fight-or-flight response. Stress reactions can include both psychological and physiological symptoms.

– Fight-or-flight response: A survival mechanism that is triggered when an individual perceives a threat. The fight-or-flight response is characterised by an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, as well as a release of adrenaline and other stress hormones.

– Deep breathing exercises: A relaxation technique that involves slowly and deeply inhaling and exhaling through the nose.

– Progressive muscle relaxation: A relaxation technique that involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in the body.

– Guided imagery: A relaxation technique that involves using visualization to calm the mind and body.

– Social support: The emotional or practical assistance provided by family, friends, or others. Social support can play a vital role in mitigating the effects of trauma exposure.

– Mental health: A state of well-being in which an individual is able to cope with the demands of daily life. Mental health includes both emotional and psychological wellbeing.

– Mass disaster: A disaster that affects a large number of people and/or a wide geographical area.

– Venues: A location where people gather, such as a stadium, arena, or convention center.

– Psychological aftermath: The long-term psychological effects of exposure to a traumatic event.

– Public health settings: Health care facilities and programs that focus on the promotion and protection of the health of individuals, communities, and populations.

– Community violence: Violence that occurs within a community, such as domestic violence, gang violence, or hate crimes.

– Disaster response: The actions taken in the aftermath of a disaster to save lives, relieve suffering, and protect property.

– Psychological first aid (PFA): An evidence-based set of practices designed to reduce the initial distress caused by exposure to traumatic events and to promote long-term coping and recovery.

– Reflective listening: A technique used in counseling and conversation that involves paraphrasing and summarizing what the other person has said in order to clarify understanding and build rapport.