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Mental Well-Being is Important: Learn and Use Psychological First Aid (PFA) to Care for Others and Yourself
Most of us have directly observed a family member, friend, colleague, or perhaps a complete stranger in psychological an emotional distress. In such situations, we have usually been motivated to offer some form of support in an attempt to ease the suffering we witnessed. Sometimes our efforts were effective, and sometimes they were not. At other times, despite our best efforts, our actions actually appeared to make matters worse. Sadly, there is no psychological magic bullet to guarantee that “everything will be OK”.
However, it is very important to learn how to provide assistance, especially when a person is in psychological and emotional distress. What do we say and do when providing such assistance to support another in distress? How do we actively listen with empathy? How do we manage our own psychological and emotional state in the process?
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is not something that only professional can do. Neither is it professional counselling nor attempting to diagnose someone mental state. Instead, it is about making a distressed individual feel safe, connected to others, calm and hopeful, and having access to social, physical, and emotional support. By applying PFA skills, you will be able to support the individual through the crisis and refer them to professional help. PFA is also useful for self-care, something that all of us need for our own well-being and to ensure that we are ready to assist others.
However, it is very important to learn how to provide assistance, especially when a person is in psychological and emotional distress. What do we say and do when providing such assistance to support another in distress? How do we actively listen with empathy? How do we manage our own psychological and emotional state in the process?
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is not something that only professional can do. Neither is it professional counselling nor attempting to diagnose someone mental state. Instead, it is about making a distressed individual feel safe, connected to others, calm and hopeful, and having access to social, physical, and emotional support. By applying PFA skills, you will be able to support the individual through the crisis and refer them to professional help. PFA is also useful for self-care, something that all of us need for our own well-being and to ensure that we are ready to assist others.
Objective
At the end of this highly interactive and engaging course, successful participants will learn:
- about the nature of crises and their impacts
- the key differences between stress, distress and burnout
- knowledge and skills to recognise the signs of distress.
- practical suggestions about how to provide emotional support with empathetic communication skills as you practice the principles of PFA.
- the most supportive things to say and do to stabilise people who are very distressed.
- different approaches to engage new situations safely for yourself and others, and not to cause harm by your actions.
- to build your own capacity and emotional resilience to reduce the initial distress of others and promote flexible coping to help them overcome their crisis.
- practical strategies for self-care
Outline
- Introduction to Crises and their Impacts
• definition of crises
• appreciating a variety of crises (natural disasters, pandemic, organisational, familial and personal)
• the impacts of crises on physical, psychological and social well-being
• sharing of experiences - Introduction to Stress, Distress and Burnout: What’s the link?
• definitions of stress, distress and burnout
• appreciating the subjective nature and differences between stress and distress
• identifying signs of stress and distress
• workplace and/or school burnout
• identifying signs of burnout
• practical strategies and interventions - Psychological First Aid (PFA) – Core Action Principles and its Application
• defining Psychological First Aid (PFA)
• development of the PFA concept
• core PFA action principles and its application
• role play and debrief - Active Listening, Empathic Communication Skills and Self-Care
• establishing empathy and rapport
• principles of active listening
• effective communication during PFA – what to say and not to say
• building resilience through empathy
• self-care
Who should attend
This course is suitable for all levels of staff from senior and mid-managers, supervisors, executives, frontline personnel who are keen to equip themselves with the right knowledge and skills to provide psychological and emotional support in the workplace.
Methodology
Highly experiential and interactive bite-size lectures, open and small-group discussion, games, and educational video clips. You will take away a comprehensive workbook and useful additional materials packed with tips and advice you can apply immediately at the workplace.
Profile of Anil Singh
Anil Singh is currently an Associate Lecturer, Trainer and Academic Coach with more than 10 years of experience at various government and private institutions. He is a highly versatile educator and trainer in the areas of Psychology, Counselling, Sociology and Public Safety & Security. Prior to lecturing full-time, Anil was a Community Outreach Manager with the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), Institute of Mental Health (IMH), and an Executive Director of a community drug rehabilitation centre, where he worked with recovering substance abusers, offenders and their families. Anil is passionate in his advocacy for mental wellness and PFA at the workplace and school. He strongly believes that everyone has what it takes to empathise and hopes to build a community of effective PFA providers.
Education:
Master of Social Sciences (Sociology) from National University of Singapore (NUS)
Certifications:
- Graduate Certificate in Social Sciences (Professional Counselling) from Swinburne University of Technology (SUT)
- Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA)
