Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Mental Wellness: Helping Others in Times of Distress and Crisis

Understanding Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Mental Wellness

Psychological First Aid (PFA) provides essential knowledge and skills to support individuals facing crises, whether man-made, natural, or personal. These challenging situations can often be overwhelming, making it crucial for those affected to feel safe, supported, and connected. This course is designed to equip you with practical tools to help individuals cope with distress and foster emotional well-being. Importantly, PFA is not professional counseling or diagnosing mental health conditions—it is a structured approach to providing immediate emotional support and guiding individuals toward appropriate professional help.

Practical Applications of Psychological First Aid

This one-day hands-on workshop will empower participants to recognize the signs of distress and respond effectively. Participants will learn techniques to create a calm, hopeful, and supportive environment for those in need while building their own emotional resilience. The course emphasizes empathetic communication, stress recognition, and practical care strategies. Whether you're a working professional, counselor, or someone passionate about mental wellness, this workshop will help you make a meaningful difference in times of crisis.

Read Also: 2 Day Certified Mental Wellness Coach

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Recognize signs of distress and understand the immediate needs of individuals in crisis.
• Develop skills to offer supportive words and actions to distressed individuals.
• Safely approach new crisis situations while ensuring no harm is caused to others or yourself.
• Strengthen personal resilience and emotional capacity to effectively support others during crises.
• Apply the core principles of PFA through empathetic communication and practical care strategies.

This workshop is ideal for:

• Working Professionals who aim to provide psychological support and promote mental wellness in the workplace.
• HR Personnel and Team Leaders responsible for managing crises and emotional well-being within their teams.
• Individuals Committed to Mental Wellness, including student leaders, counselors, and those seeking to build resilience and improve empathetic communication skills.
• Anyone Interested in Emotional Support who wants to equip themselves with listening skills and strategies to assist others in distress effectively.

“Facilitator is very experienced and is able to provide practical examples and approaches.” – Pui Yoke, Head of ODOS Group Services, SMU

“Taking on the PFA role can be done by anyone, he surely gave us the confidence. I have learnt that the role of providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) isn’t about solving problems or giving solid solutions. The guidance to the three actions of look, listen and link is very useful for my application.” – Tammy Fan, Lecturer, Nanyang Polytechnic

“Anil is experienced and shared practical techniques on Psychological First Aid (PFA).” – Serene Chiam, Senior Tech Executive, Singapore Polytechnic

“Subject content was relevant and useful. I felt benefited from his background knowledge of the subject. The sections related to the practical skills that were suggested can be applied in real life easily.” – Sanuse Nasir, MOE

“Engaging, fun, and definitely a content expert in the workshop delivered. Role-play, facilitation, case studies/examples were useful to reinforce the learning.” – Muhammad Yusuf, Senior Executive, Duke-NUS Medical School

Anil Singh – Expert in Mental Wellness and Crisis Management

(Master of Social Sciences, National University of Singapore)

Anil Singh is a Senior Associate Lecturer, Trainer, and Academic Coach with over 10 years of experience working in government and private institutions. A dedicated mental wellness advocate, Anil specializes in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Safety & Security. His expertise spans school, workplace, and community settings, where he empowers organizations and individuals to cultivate a culture of mental well-being.

Before transitioning to full-time lecturing, Anil served as a Community Outreach Manager at the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), Institute of Mental Health (IMH), and as Executive Director at a community drug rehabilitation center. He holds a Master of Social Sciences from NUS, alongside certifications in adult education and professional counseling. With his deep knowledge and engaging teaching style, Anil equips participants with the skills and confidence to support mental wellness and navigate crises effectively.