Psychological First Aid

12 hours in-class OR 45-90 minutes online learning and 7 hours in-class
Teacher and students

This course equips learners in developing a personal understanding of the effects of stress, loss, trauma and grief on others, with emphasis on self-care and personal protection. Learners will be introduced to the Red Cross Look, Listen, Link, Live model - a resiliency-building approach to emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing that teaches learners how to support themselves and others to cope with the effects of various types of stress. The course uses primarily case-based learning and includes the latest evidence from the international community.

Note for Course Participants

While mental health first aid programs teach how to help someone experiencing a mental health emergency, Red Cross Psychological First Aid is a resiliency-based program for everyone that offers prevention and coping strategies for dealing with different types of stress resulting from various types of trauma.

Audience

Course is adaptable to all audiences (Youth, Workplace, Professional Responder)

Duration

12 hours in-class OR
45-90 minutes online learning and 7 hours in-class

Instructor

Psychological First Aid Instructor

Prerequisites

  • 16 years of age (recommended)
  • Psychological First Aid - Self-Care online course (required for blended option only)

Completion

  • Successfully participate in 100% of the in-class course
  • Successfully complete the online course: Psychological First Aid – Self-Care (required for blended option only)

Certification

3-year certification in Psychological First Aid

Course Content

Case-based learning and discussion will be tailored to the audience and include the following content:

  • Introduction to 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, Legislation
  • Self-Care

Participant Materials

  • Psychological First Aid Workbook (print)
  • Look, Listen, Link, Live cards
  • Psychological First Aid–Self-Care online course (required for blended option)
  • Psychological First Aid–Caring for Others online course (optional)

How to Register for this Course

  1. Visit our course registration website at: myrc.redcross.ca  
  2. On the “Select Program and Category” dropdown, select “Psychological First Aid
  3. On the dropdown just below, select “Psychological First Aid
  4. Click the dropdown labeled “All Languages” and select your preferred language of instruction
  5. On the “Select your date range” dropdown, set a start date and an end date. NOTE: while online courses can be taken anytime, you must still enter start and end dates to complete the search form. 
  6. Optional: If you are looking to take online courses only, you can click the dropdown labeled “All Delivery Methods” and select “Online
  7. Optional: If you are looking to take an in-class course, type in your location in the field labeled “Enter your postal code, address or city
  8. Click the red “Search” button
You will see a list of Psychological First Aid Courses that meet your search criteria.  Click the “Take this Course” button to register.

Printable version - Psychological First Aid