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This course equips learners in developing a personal understanding of the effects of stress, loss, trauma and grief.

Psychological First Aid

Psychological First Aid

This course equips learners in developing a personal understanding of the effects of stress, loss, trauma and grief.

The Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid program is about taking care of yourself - your thoughts, feelings and emotions when you have experienced stress, crisis or trauma - and then being there for family, friends and community when they are having difficulty coping.

Learn how to anticipate stress and crisis whenever possible and equip yourself with the skillset to practice self-care and to provide care for others during particularly challenging times. Unlike mental health first aid, which trains people how to help someone during a mental health emergency, Red Cross Psychological First Aid teaches you how to build up resiliency to stress and establish coping strategies for stress and trauma.

Two Psychological First Aid courses are available online to learn at your own pace: Self-Care and Caring for Others. In both these courses, learn the impact of stress, trauma, and grief while developing useful tools for handling difficult situations. These online courses are quick, accessible and practical, equipping you with skills you can use in daily life.

The instructor-led Psychological First Aid course is more substantive and flexible, and will help you gain a deeper understanding of the Red Cross Look, Listen, Link, Live model - this means having awareness that there is a problem, listening to yourself or others, and linking to resources in your community so you can live fully.

You'll also learn Psychological First Aid using the principle of Do No Harm, which refers to the unintentional harm that may be caused to those who are meant to benefit from your intervention.

Full Course Length 8 hours

Course Details

Topics Covered

Psychological First Aid includes:

  • Introduction to the Canadian Red Cross
  • Case Studies
  • Psychological First Aid
  • Operational Principles
  • Stress/Distress
  • Loss and Grief
  • Trauma
  • Indicators
  • Vulnerable Populations
  • Supportive Communication
  • Look, Listen, Link, Live
  • Resiliency and Protective Factors
  • Protection
  • Policies and Legislation
  • Self-Care

FAQs

What are the five steps of psychological first aid?

The 5 elements of Psychological First Aid are Safety, Calm, Connectedness, Self and Group Efficacy, and Hope. Just as important as these 5 elements are the things which are NOT part of Psychological First Aid, and can lead to serious harm if approached by a non-expert. Key things to AVOID in Psychological First Aid are: obtaining details of the trauma, diagnosing, treatment, and debriefing of a trauma.

What is psychological first aid?

Psychological First Aid is the humane, supportive, and practical response to people suffering from a crisis.

What are the basic objectives of psychological first aid?

The goal of Psychological First Aid is to help people in crisis identify and access the resources they need to help themselves, from basic services, family, friends and community, to focused supports and specialized services.

Certification

Canadian Red Cross certificates are now virtual! You will receive a temporary certificate at the end of your course, and a permanent virtual certificate will be emailed to you after you've successfully completed the course. You will be able to view your manual and certification online at any time through your MyRedCross account. Certification is valid for 3 years.

Training Schedules & Locations
There are no certification classes at this time. Please check back.

Materials

Emergency First Aid & CPR Manual

The Psychological First Aid course includes the following materials:

  • Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid Workbook (hard copy)
  • Look, Listen, Link, Live cards

The Alert Advantage

Free Manual + App

Deep Discounts

3-Year Guarantee

Replacement certs

Learn More

Who should take this course?

  • All audiences (youth/workplace/professional responder/etc.)

Looking for a group class?

If you have a group of people and would like us to come to you to teach a
Psychological First Aid course, we offer this course in the following locations:

Victoria | Langford | Esquimalt | Sooke | Cobble Hill | Mill Bay | Duncan | Lake Cowichan | Cedar | Ladysmith | Nanaimo | Parksville | Qualicum Beach | Port Alberni | Coombs | Parksville | Campbell River | Saltspring Island | Pender Island | Powell River | Gabriola Isand | Burnaby | Coquitlam | Delta | Langley | Maple Ridge | New Westminster | North Vancouver | Pitt Meadows | Port Moody | Richmond | Surrey | Vancouver | West Vancouver | White Rock | Langley |

Give us a call at 1.866.282.5378, or send us an email at to arrange a group course.

Best instructor I've had. Makes you feel really comfortable in the room, especially during scenarios. Light humor which makes it fun.

Alannah Ash CPR, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Awesome! Both Connor & Andrea were incredible instructors.

Jen Paquet Standard First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"With the addition of the instructors humour, the course was both fun and effective! The group scenarios where no one was alone in dealing with a scenario was great. Little to no anxiety in participating. :)"

Kaitlin Erb Standard First-Aid and CPR-C, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

Best first aid course I’ve taken. Gary was awesome and all the hands on experience really helped me absorb information.

Pebbles Williams-Bing Emergency Childcare First Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

"Loved the course and how it was taught. I'm glad that it was hands on, it made me feel much more comfortable with situations. I would even take a shorter lunch and learn more."

Andraya Walters Standard First-Aid and CPR-C, Victoria, B.C. More Testimonials

Nathan was awesome. I had very little sleep as I have PTSD and have a difficult time learning, especially on 3 hours sleep. But he made it make sense, completely memorable and easy for me.

Erin Gray Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

Jordan clearly and calmly explained all of the course content. He answered everyone's questions and shared lots of useful tips. Jordan was very professional and approachable. 

Amanda Nagai Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

It was an excellent course. Very hands-on and engaging. The instructor was energetic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I learned a lot today, and even though it was 8 hours it flew by.

Rob Ohly Standard First Aid, Nanaimo, BC More Testimonials

Lots of fun, by far the most enthusiastic and engaging instructor I have ever had for first aid. My first time taking a class with Alert and I will definitly be coming back.

Laura CPR C Recertification, Victoria, BC More Testimonials

I appreciated all the hands on scenarios & practice, much better than book learning. Presented with enthusiasm & knowledge

Pat Thorne Emergency First-Aid, Victoria, BC More Testimonials
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