Psychological first aid. What it can do for your organisation.

Defining psychological first aid

Psychological First Aid is a training program which teaches public members how to provide initial support to someone who may be developing a Psychological health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

The program is designed to help people identify, understand and respond to signs of mental ill-health in others.

Courses are typically delivered over two days. They cover a range of topics, including how to recognise early warning signs of mental illness, how to provide initial support and where to seek further assistance.

While Psychological first aid is not a substitute for professional help, it can be essential in assisting someone experiencing a Psychological health problem or crisis. Psychological first aid courses are open to anyone over the age of 18 years.

The benefits of psychological first aid for businesses

The Psychological first aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to someone who may be developing a Psychological health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The skills taught in the course are designed to preserve life, promote recovery and protect the rights of people with Psychological illness.

While Psychological first aid is primarily geared towards members of the general public, businesses are increasingly seeing the value in offering training to their employees. By equipping employees with the skills to recognise and respond to signs of Psychological illness, companies can create a mentally healthier workplace and potentially prevent costly absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover.

How to implement psychological first aid in the workplace

Psychological first aid is an evidence-based training program that teaches individuals how to provide initial support to someone who is developing a Psychological health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. It aims to promote mental health and well-being by providing employees with the skills and knowledge to identify and respond to early signs of Psychological ill-health.

The course can be delivered in various formats, including face-to-face workshops, eLearning modules and webinars. Some resources are available online, such as the PFA Manual, which provides detailed information on how to implement PFA in the workplace.

When implementing PFA in the workplace, it is crucial to consider the needs of your employees and tailor the program accordingly.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a ten-hour course that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse. Participants learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model:

Reflective listening

Assessment of needs

Prioritization

Intervention

Disposition.

The course is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about psychological health and how to support others, including employees, customers and community members. PFA has been shown to improve participants' knowledge of mental health and increase their confidence in providing help to others.

Many businesses have used PFA to train their employees to support colleagues or customers who may be experiencing mental ill-health. These businesses have seen benefits such as improved morale and reduced absenteeism.

Contact john@thehelpinghandcoaching.com to book your Mental Health First Aid Training now.

Be well.

You belong here.

John