Psychological First Aid

An initial trauma response intervention with the goal to promote safety, stabilise and connect individuals to help and resources. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Psychological First Aid as: “A humane, supportive and practical response to people suffering exposure to serious stressors and who may need support”.  

Psychological First Aid involves: 

  • Providing practical care and support where necessary  

  • Helping people address basic needs and concerns  

  • Helping people connect to information, services and social supports  

  • Comforting people and helping them to feel calm  

  • Reducing distress and fostering adaptive coping

  • Protecting people from further harm

Mental Health First Aid

This training teaches people how to identify anyone who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of a mental health problem, or in a mental health crisis.  

Mental Health First Aid involves:  

  • An in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing 

  • Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of a range of mental health issues 

  • Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress using the Mental Health First Aid action plan 

  • Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening

  • Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support - whether through self-help resources, internal support such as EAP, or external sources such as their GP

  • An understanding of how to keep themselves safe while performing their duties.

  • Frontline staff and volunteers across England can access a psychological first aid training course by Public Health England.
  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England are the largest provider of Mental Health First Aid training in the UK and Europe - find out more here.
  • The Charlie Waller Trust offers training to a range of organisations aiming to help people spot the warning signs for mental health issues and provide them with practical strategies to take care of their own and others’ mental wellbeing - find out more here. 
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