COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) course, designed for professionals and support workers across sectors such as Mental Health, Aged Care, Childcare, Disability Support, and NDIS Support. This course will equip you with the necessary skills to recognise, respond to, and support individuals experiencing psychological distress or trauma in a variety of settings.
Psychological First Aid is a vital practice that involves providing immediate emotional and psychological support to individuals who are facing crisis situations. Unlike physical first aid, which addresses physical injuries, PFA is concerned with stabilising emotional well-being during distressing events. This course begins with an exploration of the core principles of PFA, which include ensuring safety, reducing panic, building connectedness, and instilling hope. The importance of PFA in both emergency and non-crisis situations is highlighted, as it plays a crucial role in providing timely support that can prevent long-term psychological impact.
Understanding the nature of psychological trauma and distress is essential for effective intervention. This section will introduce you to common causes of psychological trauma, such as accidents, violence, or natural disasters, and the typical emotional and cognitive responses that follow. By gaining a deeper understanding of these factors, you will be better equipped to recognise and address the signs of untreated psychological distress, which can have a long-lasting impact on an individual’s well-being.
The role of PFA extends beyond emergency situations. In daily care environments such as aged care facilities, disability support services, or mental health settings, psychological first aid can help individuals cope with ongoing emotional challenges. Whether you are working with the elderly, children, or individuals with disabilities, your ability to provide PFA will enhance the overall care and support you offer.
Recognising the early signs of psychological distress is key to timely intervention. This section will teach you how to identify emotional, cognitive, and physical indicators of distress in individuals of all ages. Understanding the warning signs of escalating psychological issues will enable you to intervene effectively before the situation worsens.
Psychological First Aid involves five core actions: ensuring safety, calming the individual, establishing connectedness, fostering self-efficacy, and instilling hope. These core actions are the foundation of PFA, and you will learn how to integrate them seamlessly into your approach, providing a comprehensive response that meets both emotional and psychological needs.
Building rapport with individuals in crisis is critical for the success of PFA. You will explore techniques for active listening, empathy, and establishing trust with vulnerable populations. This section will focus on how to communicate effectively with individuals in distress, ensuring they feel supported and understood throughout the process.
PFA must be tailored to meet the specific needs of different populations. This section will cover how to adjust your approach when working with children, elderly individuals, or those with disabilities, ensuring that your support is relevant and effective for each group’s unique emotional needs.
In mental health and disability support settings, individuals may have pre-existing mental health conditions or cognitive impairments. This section will explore how to apply PFA to these populations, with a focus on managing psychological first aid in NDIS and disability care environments.
Crises require immediate attention. This section will provide you with strategies for responding to acute psychological crises such as panic attacks or emotional breakdowns. You will also learn how to collaborate with emergency services when necessary.
Grief and bereavement are common sources of psychological distress, particularly in aged care or palliative care settings. You will explore how to recognise grief responses across different age groups and populations and how to provide effective support during times of loss.
Supporting individuals at risk of self-harm or suicide requires careful attention and sensitivity. You will learn to identify the warning signs for these behaviours, how to approach conversations about suicide, and what steps to take to ensure the individual's immediate safety while providing ongoing support.
Confidentiality and ethical considerations are integral to providing PFA. You will be introduced to the boundaries of confidentiality, ethical guidelines for professionals and support workers, and when and how to refer cases to mental health professionals.
Cultural sensitivity is essential in psychological first aid. In this section, you will gain an understanding of cultural differences in emotional expression, trauma, and approaches to support. You will learn how to respect cultural and religious beliefs while delivering PFA, ensuring your interventions are both respectful and effective.
Finally, the course concludes with a focus on continuous improvement. Reflecting on the effectiveness of your interventions, gathering feedback, and continuously enhancing your PFA skills are all essential to providing the best possible support.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to provide immediate and effective psychological first aid in various care settings, supporting individuals in their most vulnerable moments.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Psychological First Aid (PFA)
- Definition and Core Principles of Psychological First Aid
- Importance of PFA in Crisis Situations
- Key Differences Between Psychological and Physical First Aid
2. Understanding Psychological Trauma and Distress
- Common Causes of Psychological Trauma
- Psychological and Emotional Responses to Trauma
- Long-Term Impact of Untreated Psychological Distress
3. The Role of PFA in Crisis and Non-Crisis Situations
- Psychological First Aid in Emergencies
- Application of PFA in Daily Care
- PFA for Support Workers in Various Sectors
4. Identifying Psychological Distress
- Recognising Early Signs of Distress and Trauma
- Emotional, Cognitive, and Physical Indicators of Distress
- Warning Signs for Escalating Psychological Issues
5. The Five Core Actions of Psychological First Aid
- 1. Safety: Ensuring Immediate Physical and Emotional Safety
- 2. Calm: Reducing Emotional Intensity and Panic
- 3. Connectedness: Establishing Social Support and Trust
- 4. Self-Efficacy: Empowering Individuals to Take Control
- 5. Hope: Instilling a Sense of Optimism and Future Focus
- Integrating All Core Actions Effectively
6. Building Rapport with Affected Individuals
- Techniques for Active Listening and Empathy
- Communicating with Individuals in Crisis
- Establishing Trust with Vulnerable Populations
7. Tailoring PFA for Different Populations
- PFA for Children: Adjusting Language and Approach
- PFA for Elderly Individuals in Aged Care
- Supporting Individuals with Disabilities Through PFA
8. Applying PFA in Mental Health and Disability Support
- Providing PFA to Individuals with Pre-Existing Mental Health Conditions
- Managing Psychological First Aid in Disability and NDIS Support Settings
- Working with Individuals with Cognitive Impairments
9. Crisis Management and Psychological First Aid
- Recognising and Responding to Acute Psychological Crises
- Managing Panic Attacks, Emotional Breakdowns, and Trauma Responses
- Working with Emergency Services During Psychological Crises
10. Providing PFA for Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
- Recognising Grief Responses Across Age Groups and Populations
- Supporting Individuals in Aged Care and Palliative Care Settings
- Long-Term Support for Individuals Experiencing Bereavement
11. Supporting Individuals at Risk of Self-Harm or Suicide
- Identifying Warning Signs for Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour
- How to Approach Conversations About Self-Harm and Suicide
- Ensuring Safety and Providing Ongoing Support
12. Confidentiality and Ethical Considerations in PFA
- Understanding the Boundaries of Confidentiality
- Ethical Guidelines for Support Workers and Professionals
- Knowing When and How to Refer to Mental Health Professionals
13. Cultural Sensitivity and Psychological First Aid
- Understanding Cultural Differences in Emotional Expression and Trauma
- Approaching PFA in Culturally Diverse Settings
- Respecting Religious and Cultural Beliefs in Psychological Support
14. Reviewing and Improving Psychological First Aid Practices
- Reflecting on the Effectiveness of PFA Interventions
- Gathering Feedback from Individuals and Colleagues
- Continuously Enhancing PFA Skills and Approaches
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.