1. Coping in Today’s World
Psychological First Aid and Resilience
for Families, Friends and Neighbors
Copyright © March 2010 by The American National Red Cross

2. SEGMENT ONE
Introduction
SEGMENT ONE
Introduction

3. You Should Have:
 Handbook: Coping in Today’s World: Psychological First Aid and Resilience for Families, Friends and Neighbors  Course evaluation sheet  Packet of page tabs or sticky notes 3

4. What This Course Is About
This course aims to help you learn about:
 Your strengths and how to enhance your own
resilience and that of your children.
 How to recognize stress in adults and children
and how we react to it.
 How you can support others during challenging
life circumstances.
 How to provide psychological first aid.
 How to assist people in finding additional help
from mental health professionals and other
types of resources. 4

5. Psychological Resilience
SEGMENT TWO
Psychological Resilience

6. Psychological Resilience
Psychological resilience is the ability to
effectively “bounce back” from stressful
situations, including crises and disasters.
 Everyone has resilience.
 Resilience is learned.
 Resilience can be enhanced and strengthened.
 It helps us adapt to changes and challenges in
our lives. 6

7. Ways to Build Resilience
1. Make connections with others.
2. Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable
problems.
3. Accept that change is a part of living.
4. Move toward your goals.
5. Take decisive actions. 7

8. Ways to Build Resilience (Continued)
6. Look for opportunities for self-discovery.
7. Nurture a positive view of yourself.
8. Keep things in perspective.
9. Maintain a hopeful outlook.
10. Take care of yourself. 8

9. How Do You Build Resilience?
 Which of these resilience-building strategies do you use?
 Which of these resilience-building strategies would you like to use more often or improve upon?

10. Stress
 Stress is a common and expected part of our lives.  When challenging, difficult or even dangerous situations arise, stress can motivate us to act.  When stress is extreme, or prolonged, people often have stress reactions. 10

11. Individual Stress Reactions
 Feelings
 Thoughts
 Behaviors
 Physical Conditions
 Spiritual Life 11

12. Psychological First Aid
SEGMENT THREE
Psychological First Aid

13. “Every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another
“Every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.” Thomas Jefferson
“Every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.” Thomas Jefferson 13

14. Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Psychological first aid (PFA) is a set of actions that can offer immediate support to people in need of help. 14

15. Why PFA? psychological first aid. PFA actions:
There are many benefits to performing
psychological first aid. PFA actions:
 Create a compassionate environment for others during
stressful situations.
 Provide immediate support during times of stress.
 Offer positive coping strategies in times of stress.
 Are a means by which people can connect with others.
 Help those who provide the aid to strengthen their
own personal resilience.

16. The Limits of Psychological First Aid
Psychological first aid is not:
 A substitute for counseling or therapy.
 A cure-all.
 Treatment for serious conditions.
 A guaranteed means for solving problems that cause distress.

17. Guidelines for Practicing PFA
 Be Tolerant of Differences  Keep Boundaries  Respect People’s Privacy  Know When to Ask for Help  Take Care of Yourself

18. PFA Respects Boundaries
We respect boundaries by:
 Not pushing for more information than people wish to share.
 Not becoming overly involved with other’s difficulties or responsibilities.
 Allowing others to make choices that feel right for them.
 Not imposing our own views, beliefs and values on others.

19. Connie and Bonnie or What Not To Say
C: You look like you’ve had bad news. B: Um…., yes. C: Come on, you can tell me. B: Well, my last from Sam was very depressing! C: Really? What did he say exactly? B: Um…. C: That bad! Oh surely not! 19

20. PFA Actions
1. Observe and be aware. 2. Make a connection. 3. Help people feel comfortable and at ease. 4. Be kind, calm and compassionate. 20

21. PFA Actions (Continued)
5. Assist with basic needs. 6. Listen. 7. Give realistic reassurance. 8. Encourage positive coping. 21

22. What Is Your Strategy?
 What other positive coping strategies can you think of, or do you use?
 What coping strategies would you like to use more often? 22

23. PFA Actions (Continued)
9. Help people connect with others. 10. Give accurate and timely information. 11. Suggest a referral resource. 12. End the conversation. 23

24. Example Scenario
Example Scenario

25. How could you provide PFA for this individual?
What Would You Do?
How could you provide PFA for this individual?

26. Break
Please return in 20 minutes.

27. Resources and Making Referrals
SEGMENT FIVE
Resources and Making Referrals

28. “Half of knowledge is knowing where to find it.” Unknown
Instructor: Read the quote: “Half of knowledge is knowing where to find it” –Goethe
Ask participants why they think this is especially important to remember when providing PFA. Bring out if they do not:
--People may need more than you have to give
--There are many resources that can provide what they need, and meeting such needs reduces stress
--There are some very serious circumstances under which it is critical that they get in touch with the appropriate resource 28

29. Resources and Making Referrals
 General Information and Resources  Mental Health Information and Referrals  Mental Health Emergencies 29

30. American Red Cross Resources
American Red Cross provides:
 Local information and referral services.
 Training in a variety of areas.
 Volunteer opportunities (a way of making
connections).
Contact your local Red Cross chapter
for more information. 30

31. Making Mental Health Referrals
If you are considering recommending
mental health services:
 Suggest they contact their regular healthcare provider.
 Recommend they contact their EAP program about covered referral resources.
 Give them the contact information for the National Mental Health Information Center.
 Contact the Information Center yourself and ask how best to proceed. 31

32. Additional Information About Mental Health Topics
Consider:
 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
 American Psychological Association (APA).
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 State and local mental health associations.
 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 32

33. Mental Health Emergencies
It is always okay to ask for help. 33

34. Local Resources
What is available? 34

35. SEGMENT SIX
Closing Matters

36. Next Steps
 Build and use your resilience.  Practice psychological first aid.  Seek resources when needed.

37. Thank you for completing the evaluation!
Course Evaluation
Thank you for completing the evaluation! 37

38. Your Certificate
Congratulations! 38