Course Details

Psychological First Aid and Staff Support in Crises Training Course

Introduction

In the face of emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents, the immediate focus is often on physical safety, operational continuity, and tangible aid. However, the psychological and emotional impact on individuals – both those directly affected and the responders providing support – can be profound and long-lasting. Staff members, particularly those in high-stress roles such as emergency services, humanitarian aid, healthcare, security, or customer-facing positions during a crisis, are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Neglecting their mental well-being can lead to decreased effectiveness, high turnover, and long-term health issues. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a globally recognized, evidence-informed approach to providing humane, supportive, and practical help to people in distress, without necessarily being a mental health professional. Our intensive 10-day "Psychological First Aid and Staff Support in Crises" training course is meticulously designed to equip managers, team leaders, HR professionals, emergency responders, and all staff with the essential skills to provide immediate psychological support, foster resilience within their teams, and implement sustainable staff well-being programs before, during, and after a crisis.

This comprehensive program will delve into the principles of PFA, effective communication with distressed individuals, recognizing signs of acute stress and trauma, and understanding the unique psychological challenges faced by staff in crisis environments. Participants will gain practical skills in active listening, creating a safe and supportive environment, connecting individuals to resources, and implementing strategies for self-care and peer support. By the end of this course, you will be proficient in establishing a compassionate and resilient organizational culture that prioritizes the mental well-being of its people, ensuring that your workforce remains healthy, engaged, and effective even in the most challenging circumstances.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Psychological First Aid and Staff Support in Crises" training course is essential for a wide range of professionals who may encounter individuals in distress during or after a crisis, or who are responsible for the well-being of staff in high-stress environments. This includes:

• Managers and Team Leaders: Responsible for the immediate well-being and support of their teams.
• Human Resources (HR) Professionals: Designing and implementing staff support programs.
• Emergency Responders (Police, Fire, EMS, Military): Directly engaging with affected populations and experiencing high-stress events.
• Humanitarian Aid Workers and NGO Field Staff: Operating in conflict zones and disaster areas.
• Healthcare Professionals: Dealing with patient trauma and high-stress clinical environments.
• Business Continuity and Crisis Management Team Members: Supporting colleagues during organizational disruptions.
• Security Personnel: Engaging with individuals during critical incidents.
• Customer Service Representatives: Handling distressed customers during crises.
• Occupational Health & Safety Officers: Focusing on holistic employee well-being.
• Anyone in a leadership or support role during a crisis.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Psychological First Aid and Staff Support in Crises" training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental principles and components of Psychological First Aid (PFA).
• Recognize common psychological and emotional reactions to stress, trauma, and crisis situations in self and others.
• Develop effective communication and active listening skills to engage with distressed individuals empathetically.
• Provide immediate, non-intrusive, and compassionate support to individuals in the aftermath of a crisis.
• Identify individuals who may require advanced mental health support and facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Implement strategies to promote staff well-being, prevent burnout, and foster resilience within teams.
• Develop peer support programs and integrate them into existing organizational support structures.
• Understand the concept of 'duty of care' and organizational responsibilities for staff psychological safety.
• Design and execute post-crisis debriefing and 'lessons learned' processes with a focus on well-being.
• Contribute to building a supportive and resilient organizational culture that prioritizes mental health during and after crises.

Course Modules

Module 1: Understanding Crisis & Psychological Impact

• Defining crisis, trauma, stress, and their varying impacts on individuals.
• Common psychological reactions to highly stressful events (acute stress, anxiety, grief, fear).
• Understanding the difference between normal stress reactions and signs of severe distress or mental health challenges.
• The concept of 'psychological safety' in the workplace.
• The unique stressors for staff and responders in crisis situations (e.g., exposure to suffering, moral injury, vicarious trauma).

Module 2: Introduction to Psychological First Aid (PFA)

• What PFA is and what it is not (distinguishing from therapy or counseling).
• The core principles and action steps of PFA (Look, Listen, Link).
• A "do no harm" approach to providing support.
• The importance of immediate, practical, and non-intrusive help.
• The role of PFA in a comprehensive crisis response strategy.

Module 3: PFA Action Principle 1: LOOK (Prepare & Observe)

• Preparing to help: understanding personal limits and ensuring self-care.
• Assessing the environment for safety and immediate needs.
• Observing for signs of distress in individuals (physical, emotional, behavioral).
• Identifying individuals who may need specific support (e.g., children, elderly, disabled, those with pre-existing conditions).
• Cultural competence in observing and interpreting distress signals.

Module 4: PFA Action Principle 2: LISTEN (Approach & Connect)

• How to approach someone in distress in a non-threatening and respectful manner.
• Effective active listening skills: empathy, validation, non-judgment.
• Creating a safe and comfortable space for conversation.
• Understanding verbal and non-verbal communication cues.
• Knowing when to listen and when to provide practical help.

Module 5: PFA Action Principle 3: LINK (Provide Practical Help & Support)

• Helping people address their basic needs (food, water, shelter, safety).
• Connecting individuals to practical information and services.
• Facilitating connection with loved ones and social support networks.
• Providing accurate and timely information to reduce anxiety and uncertainty.
• Empowering individuals through practical steps and self-help strategies.

Module 6: Recognizing & Responding to Specific Reactions

• Managing common reactions: shock, confusion, anger, sadness, fear.
• Responding to signs of severe distress: panic attacks, disassociation, suicidal ideation (and when to escalate).
• Communicating with individuals who are agitated, withdrawn, or non-responsive.
• Supporting individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions during crisis.
• Strategies for effective de-escalation.

Module 7: Staff Support & Well-being Strategies in Crisis

• Understanding compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma in responders.
• Developing organizational policies and programs for staff well-being during crises.
• Promoting self-care techniques for individuals (stress management, mindfulness).
• Implementing flexible work arrangements and rest periods during prolonged operations.
• The role of leadership in modeling and prioritizing staff well-being.

Module 8: Building Peer Support Networks

• The benefits and limitations of peer support in crisis situations.
• Establishing formal and informal peer support programs within the organization.
• Training peer support volunteers: active listening, confidentiality, boundaries.
• Creating a supportive environment where staff feel comfortable seeking and offering help.
• Integrating peer support with professional mental health services.

Module 9: Post-Crisis Recovery & Long-term Support

• Conducting post-incident defusing and debriefing sessions (Critical Incident Stress Management - CISM basics).
• Facilitating individual and group recovery processes.
• Monitoring for delayed stress reactions and long-term psychological impacts.
• Providing access to professional counseling, therapy, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
• Integrating lessons learned about staff well-being into future crisis preparedness plans.

Module 10: Ethical & Professional Considerations

• Understanding the ethical boundaries of providing PFA.
• Confidentiality and privacy considerations when supporting individuals.
• Knowing your limits and when to refer to professional mental health services.
• Maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding dual relationships.
• The importance of self-reflection, supervision, and ongoing professional development in PFA.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

• Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com