PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID SKILLS TRAINING

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is as natural, necessary and accessible as basic medical first aid. Effective delivery of Psychological First Aid in the immediate aftermath of a violent or traumatic event has been found to address the obvious emotional consequences of the incident, as well to mitigate financial exposure through litigation, worker’s comp stress-related claims, attrition and lost productivity.

The Psychological First Aid Skills program is a full-day, skill building workshop that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to assist people with the immediate emotional distress resulting from an accident, injury or sudden shocking event. As with basic medical first aid skills, responders don't need to be doctors, nurses or trained medical or mental health professionals to provide initial care to those in need. Early psychological support can alleviate suffering and reduce the likelihood lasting emotional problems. 

 

BSA is one of the nation’s leading providers of Psychological First Aid training. Our training model is easy to learn, easy to remember and easy to use during real-time emergencies.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

 

• The role of the PFA responder in a crisis

• Common emergency stress reactions (ESRs)

• Fear management strategies and techniques

• Restoring emotional equilibrium with the P-D-C approach (Protect-Direct-Connect)

• Verbal de-escalation skills for assisting agitated individuals

• Assisted coping and supportive communications techniques 

 

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID 

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Mental health first aid has been defined as "the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves". Mental health first aid is an extension of the concept of first aid which is familiar with physical health crises to cover mental health emergencies. 

Many people developing mental disorders do not get professional help or delay getting professional help. Someone in their personal or work life who is informed about the options available for professional help can assist the person to get appropriate help. In mental health crises, such as a person feeling suicidal, deliberately harming themselves, having a panic attack or being acutely psychotic, someone with appropriate first aid skills can reduce the risk of the person coming to harm.

The Mental Health First Aid training program is a mandatory 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps participants identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This model of mental health crisis intervention was initially developed in Australia, but is offered as a structured curriculum in the U.S. developed by the National Council for Behavioral Health. BSA is home to several certified Mental Health First Aid instructor who can help organizations develop the capabilities for recognizing and responding to mental health emergencies. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Major mental health conditions

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems

• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders

• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis

• Where to turn for help — professional, peer, and self-help resources

 

MENTAL DISORDERS IN THE WORKPLACE

Untreated mental illnesses in the U.S. cost businesses more than $100 billion in lost productivity each year and play a significant role in workplace violence. Although federal and state laws prohibit employment discrimination against individuals with physical and mental disabilities, the process of diagnosing mental disorders such as depression or anxiety, and understanding the relationship between mental health problems and violence potential is inherently complex and challenging. 

In order to effectively respond to issues that may arise in dealing with employees who have mental disorders, it is important to approach the matter not just from the human resources, security or legal perspectives, but from psychiatric and psychological perspectives as well.

BSA offers a thorough half-day training program that addresses the costs and effects of mental disorders in the workplace and on campus, as well as the relationship between mental illness and violence. A comprehensive exploration of the most common forms of behavioral problems encountered by employers and administrators is balanced with discussion of security, human resources and legal considerations, and approaches to moving troubled employees or students toward the appropriate sources of help. The program introduces options available for helping employees and students, and making the environment safe without violating an individual’s ADA rights, including information, education, referral, fitness for duty evaluations and last chance agreements to engage troubled workers or students in treatment.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 

 

• Personality Disorders

• Mood Disorders

• Psychotic Disorders

• Anxiety Disorders

• Substance-related Disorders

• Somatoform Disorders

• Other common mental health problems

• Suicide and parasuicidal behaviors

• ADA and other legal considerations

• Employer management strategies

 

STRESS CONTROL FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT LEADERS AND DECISION MAKERS 

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Leaders and decision makers, emergency management planners and front line responders, all face different types and levels of stress during a real time crisis. Unchecked, stress can potentially reduce individual and organizational effectiveness in emergency response and can have a lasting impact on confidence and loyalty among employees, customers and other stakeholders. To be most effective, active stress control strategies and techniques for all those involved in emergency and crisis response should be integrated into plans, operations and the culture of crisis management teams.

 

This workshop introduces key concepts in impact and intervention, as well as practical approaches to mitigating the effects of stress and optimizing performance under crisis conditions.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Psycho-physiological reactions to stress and fear affecting decision making and performance (individual and team)

• Strategies for preserving team cohesion in high-stress situations

• Approaches to discourage scapegoating, hate crimes, and the stigmatization of specific people or groups in emergencies

• Bolstering the ability of individuals and organizations to manage stress and rebound from unpredictable and traumatic events

• Knowing when and how to assess for mental health support for those who may need it

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