ORGANIZATION: Red Cross Psychological First Aid
DATE & TIME: May 25 & 26, 2024 beginning at 9:00am to 4:00pm
LOCATION: St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Bloomfield 426
Facilitated by Marcelle Coppillie, Certified Red Cross Psychological First Aid Trainer, https://primaryresourcetraining.com/
Coordinated by Natasha Brubaker, Rector, Anglican Parish of Three Harbours and Ivan Drouin, R. Psychologist, St. Francis Xavier University
In a world where extreme weather events are increasing, we recognize that in addition to tangible physical support (i.e., community comfort centers, food, charging stations and so on), people need access to essential psychological and spiritual support in times of crisis and disaster. Such events are by their very nature traumatic and affect everyone. However, mental, and spiritual care are often overlooked, particularly on the social level, both in the moment itself and afterwards.
“Psychological First Aid (PFA) provides emotional and practical support to individuals, families, or communities who are having difficulty coping. It is about establishing a connection with people in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner to bring calm and comfort. It also helps to reduce stigma associated with mental health crises and can reduce negative health outcomes through general public and community-building strategies on self-care and promoting conversations about wellness” (Canadian Red Cross).”
We are inviting local emergency management staff, first responders, counsellors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, clergy, and other leaders and members of our communities to take part in an upcoming Red Cross Psychological First Aid training session. For health professionals, it is a unique opportunity to be trained and serve our community. A more advanced Red Cross Psychological First Aid Trainer program, for which this first workshop is prerequisite, will be offered in the fall of 2024.
This workshop is free of charge and is funded through a generous grant from the “Hurricane Fiona Relief and Resiliency Fund” program of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada and administered through the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI.
To register: rector3harbours@gmail.com