Description:

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence- informed, modular approach to assisting individuals to reduce distress after a potentially traumatic event such as natural disasters, terrorism, a public health emergency or a personal crisis. 

PFA is a set of 8 core action steps that operate on the assumption of human resilience and a recognition that strong reactions to potentially traumatic events are common and normal. 

PFA is based on the evidence informed principles of safety, calming, connectedness, hope, and self/community efficacy.  PFA is intended to be able to be used by non-clinically trained individuals to assist in supporting their community after a potentially traumatic event.  PFA is culturally informed and able to be provided to all age groups. 

The PFA training is 6+ hour training and trainees will be provided with a certificate of completion.

Objectives:

After completing this training, participants will be able to:

• list 5 common reactions to potentially traumatic events
• Identify the 5 evidence informed principles of Psychological First Aid
• Name the 8 core actions of Psychological First Aid
• Describe potential adaptations to PFA for different settings
• Identify ways that responding to potentially traumatic events may impact responders and incorporate stress reduction strategies into their work and home life.