The First in Ukraine and Worldwide Training on Psychological First Aid for Complex Reactions and Situations Conducted by the Ukrainian Red Cross in Kyiv

The staff and volunteers of the emergency response team in Kyiv participated in the training. They often respond to emergencies and encounter complex reactions from people affected by these events. Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to be capable of offering psychological first aid to victims correctly and promptly. 

The training comprised both theoretical and practical components. During the theoretical sessions, participants learned about the peculiarities of stress reactions, how to support individuals of different ages, and how to provide assistance in cases of varying complexity. Subsequently, they applied this knowledge through practical exercises aimed at developing timely and effective psychological first-aid skills. This training will enhance the team’s ability to provide improved assistance to those in need during emergencies. 

The training programme was developed by the Danish Red Cross and its delegate, Eva Barnewitz, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Red Cross. A team of trainers has already been trained using this methodology to conduct similar sessions across different regions of Ukraine.