Psychological First Aid for Commerce and Industry
The daily business of people working in commerce and in businesses does not normally involve exposure to traumatic incidents. But they do happen and companies should be prepared to provide support for their staff should such an eventuality occur. Some organisations, such as news and media providers, Banks, shops and other businesses where money may be available to be stolen, are more vulnerable than others. Events may include violent crime in the workplace, death of colleagues, sometimes actually at work and also elsewhere. Colleagues sometimes commit suicide and death under those circumstances has a considerable impact on work colleagues.
Psychological First Aid is an ideal model for providing support over time for those affected by such incidents.
Psychological First Aid In A Major Incident Response
We have extensive experience offering training for a variety of organisations ranging from the NHS, other emergency services as well as businesses.
We offer training courses to enable people to help others cope in dealing with traumatic incidents and stressful situations. Training courses are usually delivered in-house, but in the present Covid-19 crisis situation courses are now being offered online, which has proved to be very successful.
PFA In Industry and Commerce
Training Course Details
Psychological First Aid is an evidence based approach to help people in the short, medium and longer term after major incidents, disasters and other traumatic incidents. It is intended to minimise the distress that typically occurs after traumatic incidents and to help people develop ways of managing and coping. There is no assumption that all those involved will require professional mental health care, but rather that the majority of people will experience a wide range of reactions, some of which may interfere with their lives, and that empathic support from responders early on may help the recovery process.
The goal of Psychological First Aid is to reduce people’s emotional distress, help them with whatever they need, and encourage behaviours that will assist them to return to normal functioning. It is not about making people relate details of distressing experiences.
The overall objectives are:
At the conclusion of the training delegates will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the NHS model of Psychosocial Care and Psychological First Aid
- Describe the company’s policy and procedures for dealing with traumatic incidents
- Decide upon an appropriate course of action following traumatic incidents
- Recognise typical Post Trauma Reactions and the symptoms of PTSD
- Conduct a Defusing session
- Conduct a Psychological First Aid Session
- Provide an appropriate level of longer term support
- Identify those who may be in need of mental health care using the process of psychosocial triage and refer them appropriately
- Use the skills of psychological First Aid when dealing with the relatives of employees who have died
- Recognise the limits of their skills and knowledge and obtain professional advice when appropriate
- Provide effective care for themselves and their colleagues
Not everyone involved in such incidents experiences reactions but the majority do and many recover naturally over a fairly short time scale. However, some do not recover naturally and it is important that organisations ensure that those involved in trauma are well supported and those who need it have access to professional mental health care.
In 2009 the Department of Health published an NHS Emergency Planning Guidance document on the Psychosocial and Mental Health Care of People Affected by Major Incidents and Disasters. This guidance recommends the use of Psychological First Aid and Psychosocial Care in supporting those affected by traumatic incidents. The World Health Organisation, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent and Public Health England have all recently endorsed those recommendations in the light of the COVID-19 crisis.
This course draws on these recommendations, authoritative opinion from leaders in the field and the extensive experience of the trainer.
Organising Training
This training is designed to be run ‘In House’ on behalf of commercial companies and other organisations. However, during the present Covid 19 situation it is also being offered as an ‘On-Line’ option, using any of the usual video conferencing platforms. In either option it is a one day course and has been run for a variety of airline, railway, financial and other commercial organisations, always receiving excellent feedback.
To discuss how we might tailor this training most appropriately for your needs please contact Gerry on: or telephone on 0118 973 1546 or 0781 841 0254.
Feedback from our clients
“Zoom approach worked surprisingly well. Small group work made possible –excellent. Good slides and content. Good pre-course reading and information for future reference. Knowledge and experience of Gerry”
- Facilitation via Zoom and breakout rooms worked really well given current limitations.
- Anecdotal stories based on Gerry’s previous experience were interesting and relevant and helped illustrate the points he was making.
- Humorous style and relaxed delivery welcomed.
- Good balance of facilitator input, case studies and group discussion.
- Calm and well-paced delivery and good humoured.
- Clear and good at keeping everyone involved.
- Excellent content and facilitation in difficult/different circumstance –well done and thanks Gerry.
- The break halfway through each session was really helpful. Working online requires a different level of concentration so a break is important.
Feedback from Consultant Doctors following recent training for Health Education England