“Every warm and sincere reaction reminds me how important it is to be able to provide psychological first aid” — Nataliia Matiola, volunteer with the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit of the Zakarpattia regional branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross

Nataliia joined the Ukrainian Red Cross two and a half years ago, encouraged by a friend who knew about her extensive experience working with older adults. The topic of emotional support has always been close to her heart, so she enthusiastically participated in the Psychological First Aid (PFA) training.

This training helped her understand the importance of actively listening and supporting others without judgment, as, in crisis situations, people often just need space to be heard.

One day, Nataliia applied her newly acquired skills to help a friend cope with stress after losing his job. By creating an atmosphere of trust, she supported him and helped him regain his inner balance.

At the same time, the PFA training taught her not only how to help others but also how to take care of herself. Nataliia began to pay more attention to her own boundaries and needs to avoid emotional burnout. She says this has positively impacted her well-being and productivity.

Nataliia believes that psychological first aid training should be mandatory for everyone who works with people. The training she received is being implemented by the European Commission as part of the #EU4Health programme.