{"id":423006,"date":"2021-11-15T10:37:14","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T10:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/?p=423006"},"modified":"2024-12-02T14:31:10","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T14:31:10","slug":"psychological-first-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/blog\/psychological-first-aid","title":{"rendered":"Psychological first aid: How to provide mental health support"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are all kinds of reasons why someone might need psychological support. Nobody is immune to poor mental health, and at some point in your life, you will undoubtedly need to offer support to a friend or reach out for help yourself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychological first aid can be an excellent tool to combat mental health struggles caused by a variety of reasons. In this article, we\u2019ll explore the importance of mental health first aid, what it can be used for, who can become a first aider, where to receive training, and how to offer support to yourself and others. We\u2019ll also discuss the importance of seeing a mental health professional in certain circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is psychological first aid?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what exactly is psychological first aid? In our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/courses\/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-in-the-global-context\/0\/steps\/170943\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">open step<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, experts from the University of Glasgow describe psychological first aid (PFA) as something that can be used to support people who have experienced disasters or other crises. It provides a framework that can be used to offer support in a dignified and respectful way and has been recommended for use by the World Health Organisation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To expand on this, in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/courses\/psychological-impact-of-covid-19\/0\/steps\/110481\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychological first aid in organisations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> open step, Dr Stubley suggests that PFA is humane, supportive and practical assistance for people who are distressed. PFA should consider a person\u2019s culture, abilities, and basic needs, including sleep, food and human interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To break PFA down into simple terms, we can think about what it is and what it isn\u2019t. Experts from the University of Glasgow state:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0PFA involves:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing practical and unintrusive care and support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assessing needs and concerns<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping people to address basic needs, for example, food and water, information<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listening to people, but not pressuring them to talk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comforting people and helping them to feel calm<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping people connect to information, services and social supports<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protecting people from further harm<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PFA is not:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Something that only professionals can do<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional counselling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Psychological debriefing\u2019 in that PFA does not necessarily involve a detailed discussion of the event that caused the distress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asking someone to analyse what happened to them or to put time and events in order<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although PFA involves being available to listen to people\u2019s stories, it is not about pressuring people to share their feelings and reactions to an event<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>\t\t\t\t\t\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    <div class=\"flcc-course-module-cards \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"course-card-group\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"course-card-item\"> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" top-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"COVID-19: Psychological First Aid\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-thumbnail \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"course-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/ed\/58\/regular_ed584ba0-4904-45a1-b0f0-51d8eb07e1e8.jpg\" alt=\"COVID-19: Psychological First Aid - cover image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"organisation-logo\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"org-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/fa\/cb\/facb0606-b9fe-4dfd-9cc5-11bf6dd2c6be.png\" alt=\"UK Health Security Agency\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"COVID-19: Psychological First Aid\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SpanGroup\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-org\">UK Health Security Agency<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-title\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCOVID-19: Psychological First Aid\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"options-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-details\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-detail weeks\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><path d=\"M26 6V0H6v6h2v5.68l5 2v4.64l-5 2V26H6v6h20v-6h-2v-5.68l-5-2v-4.64l5-2V10h-2v.33l-5 2v7.36l5 2V26H10v-4.32l5-2v-7.36l-5-2V6zm-2 24H8v-2h16zM8 2h16v2H8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cc-detail-text\">3 weeks<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"course-categories\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cat-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Psychology & Mental Health,Healthcare & Medicine<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                                                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n                                                \r\n                                                                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!--  .flcc-course-module-cards -->\r\n    \t\t<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why is mental health first aid important?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health first aid can be a crucial tool to ensure that people are able to cope with difficult experiences and build resilience, as explored in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19\/0\/steps\/98780\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resilience and coping<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> open step and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/degrees\/coventry\/emergency-management\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MSc Emergency Management and Resilience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> degree. Resilience is the ability to bounce back after experiencing hardships, and PFA can help people to grow and develop despite having faced difficulties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PFA improves resilience by offering continual support, improving self-belief and value, increasing perceived capacity to deal with a difficult situation, and improving willingness to accept support and assistance from others. However, how resilient people are will depend on the nature and severity of the adverse event they experienced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although mental health first aid can build resilience, and with that, a person\u2019s ability to cope with difficult situations. However, it\u2019s important to note that PFA cannot get rid of distress, risk or any mental disorders. It\u2019s not a solution to everything, and it should never be promised as such.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Who can claim to be a mental health first aider?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no real pre-requisites to being a mental health first aider. Similarly to ordinary first aid training, anyone can learn PFA and use it to support people in need. Learning PFA, however, is not the same as being a qualified mental health professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will help to be an empathetic person with good listening skills before you get started, but a PFA course will teach you everything you need to know to start offering support. You might also receive some kind of certificate to show you are a mental health first aider. On a well-respected course, you\u2019ll learn:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to spot the signs and triggers of mental health problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to reassure and comfort someone in distress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The factors that can impact mental health and wellbeing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to listen non-judgementally<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to guide someone towards further support where appropriate, including resources or a mental health professional<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What can psychological first aid be used for?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While PFA can be used to offer support to anyone who has experienced distress, there are certain circumstances that can arise where it can be particularly useful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/bushfires\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural disasters<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/experttracks\/planning-for-success-in-conflict-affected-regions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">War or conflict<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Terrorist attacks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/plague-pestilence-pandemic\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pandemics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (such as COVID-19)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Escaping a country as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/working-supportively-with-refugees\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refugee<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some of these situations, people will have experienced a lot of trauma, and they will need professional help from doctors and psychiatrists. However, for people without complex mental health problems, PFA can provide tools for them to cope with things they might be struggling with. This might be losing personal belongings, having to move to a new country, leaving family members, or witnessing violence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if someone also requires professional mental health support, PFA can be helpful to have alongside therapy. Sometimes it can take a while to access professional mental health services, and in the meantime, people who have faced trauma might need some support and coping strategies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Where to get mental health first aid training<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re interested in getting psychological first aid training, we have some excellent courses available to do just that. Created by Public Health England, our PFA courses offer a certificate upon completion to show that you\u2019re a certified mental health first aider.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19: Psychological First Aid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> course is a 3-week course where you\u2019ll explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can do to help people cope. The course is based on international guidance from the World Health Organisation and United Nations. You\u2019ll learn about common responses to the pandemic and learn how to offer emotional support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also have a similar course created by Public Health England in collaboration with The London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19-responders-african-countries\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This course also explores PFA for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic but focuses on the African continent, and is specifically adapted for first responders in Africa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0You\u2019ll pinpoint ways to care for yourself and other first responders, learn how to deal with emergencies, and learn to provide psychosocial support during crises.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our third PFA course is aimed specifically at children and young people and focuses on what you can do to help them cope and access the support they need during and after emergencies and crisis situations. You can join our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-for-children-and-young-people\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychological First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> course today.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Other mental health courses<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re interested in learning more, we do have plenty of other courses that can supplement your knowledge of mental health. You can learn about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/surviving-the-workplace-on-managing-stress-and-building-confidence\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workplace Wellbeing: How to Build Confidence and Manage Stress<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you want to focus on the workplace, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/suicide-prevention\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding Suicide and Suicide Prevention Strategies in a Global Context<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you want to offer vital mental health support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking to earn a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/collections\/mental-health-degrees\">mental health degree<\/a>? You can join our <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MSc Mental Health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> master&#8217;s degree if you already have a bachelors degree in any subject. This will suit you if you\u2019re looking to better understand mental health and its impact on individuals and communities in a professional or personal capacity. We also have a wide range of other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/collections\/masters-degrees\">master&#8217;s degrees<\/a> for you to explore if you&#8217;re curious about other topics you can earn an online degree in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\t\t\t\t\t\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    <div class=\"flcc-course-module-cards \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"course-card-group\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"course-card-item\"> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" top-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-for-children-and-young-people?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"Psychological First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-thumbnail \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"course-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/3b\/e7\/regular_3be7c268-c95b-48ed-acb2-cfc9c03a5ff2.jpg\" alt=\"Psychological First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People - cover image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"organisation-logo\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"org-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/fa\/cb\/facb0606-b9fe-4dfd-9cc5-11bf6dd2c6be.png\" alt=\"UK Health Security Agency\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-for-children-and-young-people?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"Psychological First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SpanGroup\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-org\">UK Health Security Agency<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-title\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPsychological First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"options-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-details\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-detail weeks\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><path d=\"M26 6V0H6v6h2v5.68l5 2v4.64l-5 2V26H6v6h20v-6h-2v-5.68l-5-2v-4.64l5-2V10h-2v.33l-5 2v7.36l5 2V26H10v-4.32l5-2v-7.36l-5-2V6zm-2 24H8v-2h16zM8 2h16v2H8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cc-detail-text\">3 weeks<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"course-categories\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cat-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Psychology & Mental Health,Healthcare & Medicine<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                                                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n                                                \r\n                                                                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"course-card-item\"> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" top-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/managing-mental-health-and-stress?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"Managing Mental Health and Stress\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-thumbnail \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"course-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/b8\/90\/regular_b89057ad-8a14-4f0d-8056-66ed0e81b20e.jpg\" alt=\"Managing Mental Health and Stress - cover image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"organisation-logo\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"org-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/a4\/65\/a465fe9b-64f8-456d-aefa-a176744f8dd6.png\" alt=\"Coventry University\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/managing-mental-health-and-stress?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"Managing Mental Health and Stress\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SpanGroup\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-org\">Coventry University<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-title\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tManaging Mental Health and Stress\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"options-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-details\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-detail weeks\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><path d=\"M26 6V0H6v6h2v5.68l5 2v4.64l-5 2V26H6v6h20v-6h-2v-5.68l-5-2v-4.64l5-2V10h-2v.33l-5 2v7.36l5 2V26H10v-4.32l5-2v-7.36l-5-2V6zm-2 24H8v-2h16zM8 2h16v2H8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cc-detail-text\">2 weeks<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"course-categories\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cat-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Psychology & Mental Health<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                                                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n                                                \r\n                                                                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"course-card-item\"> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" top-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/food-and-mood?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"Food and Mood : Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-thumbnail \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"course-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/f6\/28\/regular_f62892ec-bb4f-4d9a-a8e6-9cc843996f51.jpg\" alt=\"Food and Mood : Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition - cover image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"organisation-logo\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"org-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/90\/52\/905256de-367e-4ccb-8830-84195a0337c6.png\" alt=\"Deakin University\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/food-and-mood?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"Food and Mood : Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SpanGroup\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-org\">Deakin University<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-title\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFood and Mood : Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"options-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-details\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-detail weeks\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><path d=\"M26 6V0H6v6h2v5.68l5 2v4.64l-5 2V26H6v6h20v-6h-2v-5.68l-5-2v-4.64l5-2V10h-2v.33l-5 2v7.36l5 2V26H10v-4.32l5-2v-7.36l-5-2V6zm-2 24H8v-2h16zM8 2h16v2H8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cc-detail-text\">3 weeks<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"course-categories\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cat-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Healthcare & Medicine,Psychology & Mental Health<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                                                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n                                                \r\n                                                                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!--  .flcc-course-module-cards -->\r\n    \t\t<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to practise mental health first aid for yourself and others<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you\u2019ll be able to learn a lot more about practising PFA in a certified course, we have some information and tips so you can get an idea about what it involves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>For yourself<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re providing mental health support to others, you need to ensure that you\u2019re looking after yourself. You can learn all about mental health in our blog for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/blog\/world-mental-health-day\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Mental Health Day<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and we also have some useful information about how to cope with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/blog\/coronavirus-seasonal-affective-disorder\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal Affective Disorder<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/blog\/what-is-anxiety\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below we\u2019ve provided our top self-care tips:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/experttracks\/healthy-cooking\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eat healthily<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get some fresh air<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise or move your body<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/mindfulness-wellbeing-performance\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practice mindfulness<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Express gratitude<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit your screen time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay in touch with friends and family<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get a good night\u2019s sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journal your thoughts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit your alcohol intake<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be kind to yourself<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy some alone time<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><b>For others<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you need to do before you can offer PFA to someone is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19\/0\/steps\/98788\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">assess their support needs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We go into more detail about this in our open step, but we\u2019ll discuss this briefly now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you first meet someone in need of PFA, it\u2019s important to get some background information before approaching them. What have they just experienced, and how could that be affecting them? Also, how will this affect the way you communicate with them and their response?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you know a bit more about their current circumstances, you can approach them and try to identify their immediate needs. Start off with the basics. Are they cold, thirsty, hungry, or sick? It\u2019s vital that they first have access to anything they need before you can offer further assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, you\u2019ll need to assess their support needs. This can include practical things such as daily care, medication, financial assistance or support caring for others. Alternatively, it can involve more psychological care, such as having someone to talk to or finding meaningful activities. Once you know what they need, you\u2019ll be able to help them or refer them to someone who can.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When someone should see a mental health professional<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s really important to know when to see a mental health professional. Whether you visit your GP, a trained psychiatrist, or a counsellor, it\u2019s crucial to reach out and get help when needed. As a psychological first aider, it\u2019s also important to know when you\u2019ve done all you can and be able to refer someone to professional help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some signs that you should reach out or refer someone to a mental health professional are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You feel unhappy or sad most of the time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You feel nervous or anxious most of the time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You think about harming yourself or others<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re unable to engage in healthy habits such as sleeping and eating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re struggling to cope at work, school, or in relationships<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re suffering from an addiction or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/understanding-addiction\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">substance abuse<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re struggling to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/info\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19\/0\/steps\/98799\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deal with a loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (of a loved one, a relationship, or even a job)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re unable to cope with abuse you\u2019ve suffered previously<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re worried about your sexual orientation or gender identity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re struggling to cope with someone else\u2019s mental health issues<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Final thoughts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hopefully, this has been a useful guide to psychological first aid and how to become a certified mental health first aider. If you\u2019re interested in helping people who have experienced distressing situations, PFA could be something worth learning more about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can even be worth having someone trained in PFA at your workplace, school, or university, to make sure that everyone has an experienced first aider they can go to when they\u2019re struggling with their mental health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\t\t\t\t\t\r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    \r\n                    <div class=\"flcc-course-module-cards \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"course-card-group\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"course-card-item\"> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" top-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19-responders-african-countries?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"COVID-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-thumbnail \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"course-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/fc\/dc\/regular_fcdc41e0-931e-4375-8dd5-dde7617a186d.jpg\" alt=\"COVID-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa - cover image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"organisation-logo\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"org-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/fa\/cb\/facb0606-b9fe-4dfd-9cc5-11bf6dd2c6be.png\" alt=\"UK Health Security Agency\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/psychological-first-aid-covid-19-responders-african-countries?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"COVID-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SpanGroup\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-org\">UK Health Security Agency<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-title\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCOVID-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"options-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-details\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-detail weeks\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><path d=\"M26 6V0H6v6h2v5.68l5 2v4.64l-5 2V26H6v6h20v-6h-2v-5.68l-5-2v-4.64l5-2V10h-2v.33l-5 2v7.36l5 2V26H10v-4.32l5-2v-7.36l-5-2V6zm-2 24H8v-2h16zM8 2h16v2H8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cc-detail-text\">3 weeks<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"course-categories\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cat-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Psychology & Mental Health,Healthcare & Medicine<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                                                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n                                                \r\n                                                                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"course-card-item\"> \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\" top-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/how-to-support-young-people-living-with-parental-mental-illness?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"How To Support Young People Living with Parental Mental Illness\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-thumbnail \">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"course-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/df\/13\/regular_df13ec31-6dc9-4e6c-ad75-e79e84c0054c.jpg\" alt=\"How To Support Young People Living with Parental Mental Illness - cover image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"organisation-logo\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"org-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/ugc.futurelearn.com\/uploads\/images\/0d\/bf\/0dbf6234-8b93-4e9d-92bc-140654327320.png\" alt=\"UCL (University College London)\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flcc-item-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/how-to-support-young-people-living-with-parental-mental-illness?utm_campaign=Courses+feed&utm_medium=courses-feed&utm_source=courses-feed\" title=\"How To Support Young People Living with Parental Mental Illness\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"SpanGroup\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-org\">UCL (University College London)<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"flcc-item-title\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow To Support Young People Living with Parental Mental Illness\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"options-wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-details\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"course-detail weeks\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><path d=\"M26 6V0H6v6h2v5.68l5 2v4.64l-5 2V26H6v6h20v-6h-2v-5.68l-5-2v-4.64l5-2V10h-2v.33l-5 2v7.36l5 2V26H10v-4.32l5-2v-7.36l-5-2V6zm-2 24H8v-2h16zM8 2h16v2H8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cc-detail-text\">4 weeks<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"course-categories\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cat-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Psychology & Mental Health<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                                                    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n                                                \r\n                                                                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    \r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!--  .flcc-course-module-cards -->\r\n    \t\t<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore mental health first aid and learn how it can be used to help those in immediate need of psychological support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1165,"featured_media":423010,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_fl_show_updated_field":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,10436,8230,10441],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-423006","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-how-to","category-psychology-mental-health","category-wellbeing-how-tos"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - 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