COVID-19: Psychological First Aid in Africa

Offered By: Public Health England via FutureLearn

Course Description

Overview

Version française ici.

Recognise the signs of psychological problems caused by the pandemic

This course will show front-line responders how to recognise when people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are in distress, and how to provide them with Psychological First Aid (PFA).

It is specifically designed for first responders in Africa and reflects the different healthcare situations of African countries.

Learn Psychological First Aid for first responders

PFA is the globally recommended training for supporting people during emergencies. On this course, you’ll discover PFA and how it can be used as a form of psychological care.

You’ll receive training in how to use PFA to offer practical and emotional support to others.

Identify how to treat the psychological effects of COVID-19

You’ll explore the mental fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, and learn to recognise those who might be at increased risk of distress.

Pinpointing ways to care for yourself and other first responders, you’ll train in how to work in an emergency, and read further into how to provide psychosocial support in crisis situations.

Help to mitigate the mental effects of coronavirus in Africa

Public Health England are experts in providing health protection and emergency response. This course has been written and reviewed by experts in the field and specially adapted for use by first responders in African countries.

It draws on guidance from the World Health Organisation and the United Nations, and has been adapted for the context by the UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team (PHE/LSHTM) with input by experts from WHO AFRO, WHO EMRO, Africa CDC, the West African Health Organization, and the Eas, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC).

This course is aimed at frontline or essential workers and volunteers dealing with the public during the COVID-19 pandemic in African countries.

No previous qualifications are necessary. The PFA approach is suited to low-income settings and community healthcare delivery models.

This content of this course has been adapted from Public Health England’s COVID-19: Psychological First Aid course.

Syllabus

Knowledge

What is psychological first aid?
How do emergencies impact mental health?
Responses to the pandemic
Resilience and recovery
End of Week 1

PFA in practice

PFA in practice
Stage 1: Prepare
Stage 2: Look
End of week summary

PFA in practice and supporting yourself and colleagues

Stage three: Listen
Stage four: Link
Supporting yourself and colleagues
End of the course

Taught by

Alice W