What do you think of when you hear ‘first aid‘? Cuts, blood, and bruises – any number of physical injuries may come to mind. Typically, first aid provides the skills to physically help save a life. However, first aid for the mind is just as important as first aid for the body. Learning psychological first aid skills for mental health crises could also save a life. This program is being introduced and offered by Canadian Red Cross training partners and online across Canada.
Psychological First Aid training allows individuals to build a self-care plan through understanding and identifying how loss, grief, and stress affect them and in turn how to deal with it. This training also explores how they can care for others by identifying what it looks like when their friend or loved one is experiencing distress. The program focuses on four components including: look, listen, link and live. This means awareness that there is a problem, listening to yourself or others, and linking to resources in your community so that you can live fully.
Psychological first aid can be used before, during, or after a crisis event. This training is for everyone, from workplaces, to professional responders, to the general public. If you are interested in taking Psychological First Aid training, there are two online non-certification courses, as well as an in-class 7 to 12-hour certification course. It is recommended to do a blended learning style where the two online courses are completed prior to the in-class course component. In-class learning is case-based, where you are taught based on your needs and what is relevant in your life. Sign up for a Psychological First Aid course today!
