Psychological First Aid

Developed by Frameworks for Health at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Psychological First Aid training helps participants provide calm, practical and compassionate initial support to people affected by distressing or potentially traumatic events.

After a critical incident, emergency or highly distressing workplace experience, people may respond in very different ways. Well-intentioned helpers can sometimes feel pressure to make someone talk, offer immediate solutions or provide support beyond their capability.

Psychological First Aid provides a safer framework for promoting immediate wellbeing while respecting each person’s needs, choices and natural coping strategies.

What participants will learn

Training can help participants:

  • Understand common reactions following distressing events

  • Promote immediate physical and psychological safety

  • Approach affected people calmly and respectfully

  • Listen without pressuring someone to discuss the event

  • Identify immediate practical needs and concerns

  • Help people access information, social support and professional assistance

  • Recognise when more urgent support may be required

  • Maintain appropriate boundaries and look after their own wellbeing

  • Understand what Psychological First Aid is—and what it is not

Psychological First Aid is not counselling, therapy, psychological debriefing or clinical treatment.

Who this training suits

This training can be adapted for:

  • Managers and supervisors

  • Emergency and essential-service personnel

  • Health, community and support workers

  • HR and people and culture teams

  • Workplace wellbeing personnel

  • Employees who may support colleagues or community members following difficult events

Delivery and customisation

Psychological First Aid is offered as non-accredited, customisable training. Scenarios and activities can reflect the organisation’s industry, workforce, critical-incident procedures and existing support arrangements.

Training is available face-to-face in Dubbo and across regional NSW, with online delivery available nationally.

Organisational benefits

The program helps organisations build a more considered and consistent response to distress, reducing uncertainty and helping employees offer useful support without moving outside their role.

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