Reflecting on Red Cross PFA Training, A Quiet but Powerful Skillset

This week I took part in the Red Cross Psychological First Aid training for Disaster Welfare and Support. It was not dramatic or technical, but it was one of the most grounding courses I have done.

Psychological First Aid is not about fixing people. It is about showing up calm, present and human when someone is overwhelmed. The course helped me recognise signs of distress, listen without trying to solve things and connect people to the support they might need. These are simple skills, but in moments of crisis they matter.

What stayed with me was the focus on dignity and cultural awareness. Everyone’s experience is different and how we respond in those early moments can either support or unintentionally cause harm.

The training also reinforced the importance of looking after ourselves. That piece is often overlooked but essential if we want to be of help to others.

I walked away feeling more confident in my ability to support people in distress. Not as a professional, but as someone who can be present and steady when it counts. I would recommend this course to anyone who works with people or simply wants to care better.