Psychological First Aid in Extreme Situations: Lessons from the Field

Human Factors & Situational Awareness, Humanitarian & Disaster Medicine
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In this powerful session, Daniel Farber Huang and Theresa Menders draw on years of frontline humanitarian work to explore the fundamentals of Psychological First Aid (PFA) – a compassionate, evidence-informed approach to supporting individuals in crisis.

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, first responder, aid worker, or someone who simply wants to better support others, this webinar equips you with a foundational understanding of PFA and how to apply it in both humanitarian settings and everyday life.

Daniel and Theresa share real-world case studies, including their work on the Poland-Ukraine border, and provide practical strategies for offering emotional and psychological support in the immediate aftermath of crisis.

More Information

Length: 49m
Host: Eoin Walker

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Understand the core principles and objectives of Psychological First Aid (PFA)

  2. Differentiate PFA from therapy, debriefing, or diagnostic approaches

  3. Recognise stress responses in crisis situations and their impact on individuals

  4. Apply the ‘Look, Listen, Link’ model in both field-based and everyday settings

  5. Utilise active listening and empathetic communication techniques

  6. Support others and themselves through the principles of self-care

  7. Adapt PFA across cultural and contextual environments to avoid unintended harm

  8. Identify further training resources and development pathways related to PFA

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