Psychological First Aid

Emotional support after an emergency

This course teaches psychological first aid, which means helping people after an emergency when the harm is emotional rather than physical. Its RAPID model steps are listening reflectively, working out what people need, setting priorities, intervening and deciding on disposition.

Where the model applies

• Public health settings
• The workplace
• Any setting where someone is in distress after an incident

Each letter of the acronym names one stage, so the model can be used as a checklist in the moment.

Skills the course lists

Triage, crisis intervention, active listening, rapport building, patient referral and behavioral health all appear in the skills list. That range makes the course relevant to anyone who might be the first person someone turns to after an incident.