Psychological First Aid

Learn to Respond with Confidence in Times of Stress

Psychological First Aid (PFA) equips you with essential mental-health “first aid” skills: resilience, stress awareness, coping strategies, and compassionate care.

Developed by the Canadian Red Cross, this training helps individuals and communities respond to emotional challenges after stress, upheaval, crisis, or grief.

What’s the difference between mental health first aid and psychological first aid?

While mental health first aid programs teach how to help someone experiencing a mental health emergency, Red Cross Psychological First Aid is a resiliency-based program for everyone that offers prevention and coping strategies for dealing with different types of stress resulting from various types of trauma.

Unsure if this is the the course you need? Call, text, or email us; we can help.

Course Features

Boost Personal Resilience

Understand how stress, trauma, and grief affect the mind and body, and learn practical ways to cope.

Support Others Effectively

Learn how to listen without judgment, respond with empathy, and connect people to the help they need.

Flexible Delivery Formats

Choose between a full in-person course or a blended option that starts online and finishes in class.

Recognized Certification

Earn a 3-year Red Cross Psychological First Aid certification.

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— Grace B.

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The Red Cross offers Standard First Aid courses either completely in person, or in a hybrid (“blended”) course, with instruction partially online and half in person.

  • This two-day in-person course offers an interactive classroom experience where you will learn theory and practice skills with a qualified and engaging first aid instructor. 

    DURATION

    12 hours of in-person instruction, spread over 2 days.

  • The blended option combines online learning with in-class practice, offering flexibility for busy schedules. After registering, you will receive a unique PIN and password to access the Red Cross Learning Campus.

    DURATION

    Complete a series of online exercises lasting 45 - 90 minutes, then attend a one-day in-person course, typically about 7 hours.

Who Should Take Psychological First Aid?

  • Health and Social Service Workers

    If you're in healthcare, social work, community outreach, or client care, this course equips you with tools to manage burnout and offer effective, compassionate support to clients and colleagues.

    Popular for: PSWs, nurses, shelter staff, addiction support workers, mental health professionals.

  • Teachers, Coaches, and School Staff

    Students of all ages experience stress and emotional struggles. This training helps educators and school staff recognize signs of distress and respond in a way that supports student wellness.

    Great for: Teachers, ECEs, guidance counselors, coaches, and administrative staff.

  • First Responders and Frontline Workers

    Whether you're responding to emergencies or supporting vulnerable people daily, this course reinforces your mental resilience and helps you care for others—without burning out yourself.

    Common for: Paramedics, firefighters, police, crisis responders, shelter workers.

  • Employers, HR Professionals & Workplace Wellness Leads

    Create a mentally healthy workplace by training leaders to recognize stress, support struggling employees, and foster a culture of care.

    Ideal for: HR managers, business owners, wellness coordinators, and team leads.

  • Caregivers, Volunteers & Community Leaders

    Whether you're supporting family members or the wider community, knowing how to respond calmly and empathetically makes a real difference.

    Relevant for: Volunteer coordinators, caregivers, clergy, nonprofit teams, and outreach workers.

FAQs about Psychological First Aid

  • You’ll walk away with practical skills and tools you can use right away:

    • The difference between healthy and unhealthy stress

    • How trauma and loss affect people differently

    • Strategies for staying grounded during high-stress moments

    • How to create your own self-care plan

    • How to support others using the Red Cross “Look, Listen, Link, Live” model

    • Techniques for building community resilience and reducing stigma

  • Digital certificates are issued after successful completion of the course.

  • Certification is valid for 3 years and issued by the Canadian Red Cross

Book an Upcoming Course

No public courses are currently offered, however please let us know and we’ll reach out once we have enough people to run a course.

8 or more people? Group discounts available »