Psychological first aid
Psychological first aid is a humane, simple, yet powerful way of helping someone in distress during and after a crisis like the COVID 19 pandemic. It involves paying attention to the person’s reactions, active listening and if relevant, practical assistance to help address immediate problems and basic needs.
Learning psychological first aid skills and understanding reactions to crises empowers helpers to help others and apply the same skills to their own lives. These resources are to support anyone who is working or volunteering with local statutory, community or voluntary communities at this time. They are aimed at individuals with varying levels of skill and experience. For those who have extensive experience of working with people in emotional distress some elements of the training will already be familiar.
This eLearning programme, which has kindly been shared by our colleagues in NHS Education for Scotland, and the interim guidelines specifically for Covid-19, which Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have kindly given us permission to use, will help individuals and teams to help people with whom they are in contact both during and after the COVID 19.
Face COVID by Dr Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap
‘FACE COVID’ is a set of practical steps for responding effectively to the Corona crisis, using the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Minding Your Head
To support the fight against COVID-19, we have been advised to stay at home.
With our usual social activities on hold for the moment, it is very important that we look after our mental and emotional wellbeing. As we begin this journey together, we ask you to listen to the public health guidance and stay safe, look out for each other and look after your mental health.
Please see here for some tips on how to look after your mental health while you stay at home as we strive to get through these unprecedented times together.
psychologytools.com – Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty
Our world is changing rapidly at the moment. Given some of the news coverage, it would be hard not to worry about what it all means for yourself, and for those you love. Worry and anxiety are common problems at the best of times, and when it takes over it can become all-encompassing. Psychology Tools have put together this free guide to help you to manage your worry and anxiety in these uncertain times. Once you have read the information, feel free to try the exercises if you think they might be helpful to you. It’s natural to struggle when times are uncertain, so remember to offer care and compassion to yourself, and to those around you.
