First aid for the mind is just as important as first aid for the body. In today’s world, far too many people suffer from high stress levels, burnout and fatigue. This includes our friends, our families, our co-workers, our professional responders, and yes, ourselves as well.
Psychological First Aid is a resiliency building wellness program that promotes mental well being through two means:
Teaching individuals how to recognize signs of stress in themselves, and how to develop resiliency and a self care plan to avoid having this stress lead to more acute problems like depression or anxiety.
Teaching people how to be Psychological First Aid providers, who are trained to recognize stress and signs of trauma in others, so that they can provide appropriate care and support while connecting them to needed resources.
Who should take this training?
Psychological First Aid is for everyone! Each of us have strategies to cope with life’s ups and downs, but the truth is that anyone can become vulnerable when confronted with the right stress, loss, or crisis situation. Training in Psychological First Aid provides strategies to lead a healthier lifestyle, helps to reduce the stigma associated with mental health illness, and provides the tools that allow us to aid individuals who are suffering or in crisis.
With an emphasis on connecting with people in a compassionate non-judgmental manner, the training also helps to foster a positive work environment and culture of care in the workplace.
What will I learn about?
- What is Psychological First Aid?
- The Look, Listen, Link, Live model
- Types of stress
- Recognition of stress, burnout and compassion fatigue in ourselves
- Building resiliency and developing a self care plan
- The role of a Psychological First Aid Provider
- Understanding loss and the grieving process
- Recognizing stress and trauma indicators in others
- Special considerations when supporting vulnerable populations
- Supportive communication strategies when supporting people in crisis
- Strategies to connect people in crisis with the appropriate care
- A return to self care – how we help the helpers
Course Format:
- Completion of the following online education:
- Psychological First Aid – Self Care Online (45-90 minutes, required)
- Psychological First Aid – Care For Others (45-90 minutes, recommended)
- Psychological First Aid – 8 Hour Classroom Session
What do I need to do to pass?
Successful completion of the Psychological First Aid course is based on completion of the online training as noted above, and 100% attendance / participation in the classroom activities.
How long is the certificate good for?
Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid certification is valid for 3 years.
How much does the course cost?
The Psychological First Aid course costs $150 per participant, which includes access to the online courses, the face to face training, and all course materials.
A minimum billing of 10 participants will apply to private group courses.
Priority Care is not running individual enrolment public Psychological First Aid courses at this time.
Our Psychological First Aid courses are offered on a group course basis, and are available throughout the Greater Vancouver area (Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Langley, Cloverdale, Surrey, White Rock, Delta, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver) and the Fraser Valley (Mission, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Chilliwack).
Booking a group course:
If you would like to book a Psychological First Aid group course for your organization please CONTACT US.