Sharjah, UAE - In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting mental well-being, Sharjah has begun training parents, healthcare professionals, social workers, educators, and volunteers in Psychological First Aid (PFA). This effort is designed to empower community members to offer immediate psychological support in the aftermath of accidents, medical emergencies, and traumatic events.
The training workshops, organized by the Child Safety Department (CSD) affiliated with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, focus on equipping individuals with skills to provide comfort, reduce anxiety, and offer practical assistance to those in distress. The PFA approach is structured, compassionate, and practical, aiming to help individuals cope with psychological distress immediately after an incident, whether it be a minor accident or a large-scale disaster.
According to Hanadi Al Yafei, Director of CSD, the trained professionals can apply their skills in diverse settings like schools, workplaces, or even during community-wide disasters. “Early psychological support is crucial to help individuals process their experiences and recover, reducing the risk of long-term psychological issues such as depression or PTSD,” she said.
By enhancing community resilience and reducing the need for specialized psychological interventions, Sharjah's initiative is a proactive step toward creating a supportive and empathetic society.
This blog will cover Sharjah's leading role in launching a Psychological First Aid training initiative, aimed at equipping individuals with the skills to offer emotional and psychological support in emergencies and daily life. The post will highlight the importance of Psychological First Aid in addressing mental health crises, the structure of the training program, and how this initiative is empowering communities to respond to psychological distress.
