Psychological First Aid

Understanding the Disaster Recovery Cycle & Techniques of Psychological First Aid

This training is being offered to you in collaboration with the Healesville Emergency Planning Group and the Montrose Township Group

This all-day workshop is designed for those that have expressed an interest in and/or availability to provide psychological first aid (PFA) in the early aftermath of a disaster or emergency.

It’s been a tough few years for Yarra Ranges communities and we would like to continue to build confidence, skills & connection in the area. PFA is the recommended approach for supporting people and communities psychologically and emotionally when disaster strikes, and gaining the skills and confidence to use PFA is a great way to strengthen capacity in your local community.

Catering to all skill and experience levels, this workshop will be facilitated by David Younger (Clinical & Consultant Psychologist and one of Australia’s leading natural disaster recovery experts).

It is a blend of contemporary research & best practice combined with the sharing of first-hand experiences. You don’t need a health background or qualification to undertake this training, just a genuine want to learn and support your community.

During the day participants will:

• Gain an understanding of the main effects of disasters & their short, medium & long-term impacts.
• Examine trauma exposure, mental health, recovery, & models of care in disasters & emergencies.
• Learn about the history & development of PFA, key principles, as well as application contexts.
• Understand the broader community process recovery cycle.
• Consider the theory of stress, distress and trauma, and the relevance to disaster exposure & recovery pathways.
• Understand why PFA is an important entry point to the recovery system in the early aftermath of a disaster.
• Learn the techniques of PFA & participate in a role play to strengthen skills & self-confidence.
• Examine important ingredients for creating a wellbeing foundation and taking of yourself & others.
• Receive a certificate of completion

There will be ample time for questions and conversation with David’s approach being supportive of collaborative learning. In order to strengthen the skills and self-confidence to apply PFA, there will be an opportunity to participate in a scenario role play and simulation.

About the Facilitator

David has almost twenty years’ experience as a psychologist and therapist, working with adults and young people across a broad range of mental health challenges. In his disaster preparedness and recovery role, David partners with communities, agencies, organisations, as well as local and state governments across Australia. He has been a trusted advisor after numerous events including bushfires, floods, droughts, cyclones, the 2017 Bourke Street tragedy, thunderstorm asthma, and COVID-19. He is an Honorary Fellow (Clinical) at Melbourne University’s Children and Disasters Advisory Committee and is a Panel Member of the Department of Fairness Families & Housing Psychosocial Reference Group. David is a workshop facilitator, keynote speaker, mentor and most recently has started using the moniker ‘The Hope Whisperer’ to encapsulate his approach during an era of cascading disasters and poly crises.

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