Zaporizhzhia: psychologists learned to provide psychological first aid to people affected by the armed conflict

Training for psychologists "Psychological First Aid and Crisis Intervention" took place in Zaporizhzhia on July 12-14, with the trainers Olena Sudakova, a medical psychologist-psychotherapist, PhD in Psychology, and Iryna Tkach, clinical psychologist and trauma therapist.

The training was attended by 30 specialists, who contribute to mental recovery of people affected by the armed conflict in the East of Ukraine. The event was aimed at developing the competencies of psychological first aid (PFA) providers - "assistants", and crisis intervention (CI) in emergency.

The "Simulation" practical exercise and active listening exercise were of most interest in the first training day. According to participants' feedback, crisis situations simulation and an opportunity to "walk a mile in a victim’s shoes" provide understanding of the neccessity to master the structure of assistance, which contributes to the organization of the specialists’ work. During the study, techniques aimed at self-assistance of PFA providers and establishing of the first contact with people affected by the crisis were worked out,” the trainers pointed out.

“With the purpose of a smooth logical transition between the methods of assistance, the exercise "Intervention Boundaries" and "Personal boundaries" were used. The group noticed the psycho-educational effect of "Personal boundaries" exercise for themselves. Nine techniques that logically follow the topic of training and the material of the second day were introduced into the work. The third day of the training was dedicated to final assimilation of the CI method. In total, 30 participants have learned the PFA and CI methods and plan to use them in their professional activities. They have learned total of 22 techniques and exercises," the trainers summed up.

The training was implemented within the "Crisis prevention and Peace building in Ukraine – Time to Act!" project, supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by IFA (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Funding programme zivik.