There are many reasons why people need training in Psychological First Aid:.

• Psychological illness is common. 1 in 5 New Zealanders will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime commonly depression, anxiety, and misuse of alcohol and other drugs.
• There is a stigma associated with mental health. This prevents people with problems unable to discuss problems of Mental Health with family, friends and work colleagues. They are also reluctant to seek appropriate help because of their concerns about what others will think of them.
• People have little or no information about how to recognise mental distress and what effective treatments are available. With greater community awareness about mental health, people will be able to recognise early signs and feel more comfortable about seeking appropriate level of professional help.
• There are many professionals such as GP's, counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists who can help people with Psychological distress. However, just as with accidents and other medical emergencies, professional help is not always on hand when a psychological problem first arises. This is when members of the public can offer immediate first aid and assist the person to get appropriate professional help.
• A person may not realise that they need help or that effective help is available for them.
• Physiological First Aid is a fit and is designed to meet the WorkSafe's strategic plan of "HEALTH BY DESIGN" (Raise awareness of the 'Health by Design' concept in upstream PCBUs and develop guidance for targeted work-related health risks)

When faced with an incident, members of the general public often do not know how to respond unless they are trained in first aid. A person wishing to give assistance at an incident may be reluctant to help for fear of doing the wrong thing or fear of doing something will make the problem worse by not knowing the correct thing to do, e.g. unnecessarily moving a patient with spinal injuries. Similarly, in a psychological crisis situation, the helper's actions may determine how quickly the person with a problem gets help and/or recovers.

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The new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSAWA) became law on the 4th April introduced a significant change in that it states: Health means Physical or Mental Health" relevant HSAWA references

• Part 1 – 22 (a) (b) (c) (d) of the Act – Meaning of Practicable
• Part 2 – 36 sections 1, 2, and 3 (f) Management of Risks - states that a PCBU has a 'duty of care' regarding the Mental Health of workers, apply.

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A Psychological First Aid Response Plan includes: Psychological First Aid ABC's

Psychological First Aid also explores:

• Disability Caused By Psychological Problems
• Depression – What is Depression?
• Bipolar disorder: a special type of depression
• Suicide or harm
• Anxiety disorders
• Psychosis – What Is Psychosis?
• Addictions
• Bad vs Mad – What is the difference?
• Counsellors, Psychologists and Psychiatrists – How can they help?

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Psychological First Aid is not a new concept. Developing a program that meets the needs of the general public, who in most cases have little experience with psychological crisis, has not been fully developed …….until now.

The development of this program draws on a great deal of research, and feedback from clinical specialists The producer of the program skills and experience includes

• More than three decades of pre-hospital emergency care: including ALS Paramedic,
• qualified adult educator, NZQA assessor/mentor and business owner.
• Over the past decade, as a result of the lived experience of mental illness, includes advisory roles within Mental Health, Primary and Secondary services.
• Chairperson - National Association Mental Health Consumer Advisers.
• A role with the RANZCP as a community representative on a number of committee's/boards including – therapeutic intervention and the evidenced based practice board (What Works Committee) also enabled an in-depth understanding and the development of this program.
• In 2014 the producer founded a nation-wide Health and Safety company specifically designed to meet the regulations and intent of the HSAWA 2015.

Psychological First Aid is a four Hour Course

This program was developed for the New Zealand context of Health Service delivery and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

• Psychological First Aid is a four hour course.
• A handbook is provided to each participant.
• Minimum number of participants is six – maximum number of participants is twenty.
• RRP $100.00 per person plus GST.
• This Psychological First Aid course is designed for Adults only.
• A Psychological First Aid course is NOT an assessment or treatment program
• A thirty to sixty minute presentation is also available for larger groups - Price on application.
• Education Institutions – "Train the Trainer" system is available - Fees by negotiation
• Visit our website for contact details of providers.

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