May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to talk about something most of us don’t talk about enough—how to support ourselves and the people around us when things get hard.
We’ve all had moments where we didn’t know what to say to someone going through a tough time. Or maybe we’ve pushed through stress ourselves without really knowing how to deal with it. That’s why psychological first aid exists.
In this post, we’ll walk through what psychological first aid is, who it’s designed to help, and how you can get trained.
Mental health affects more than your brain. Find out how it’s important for your heart health, too.
What Is Psychological First Aid?
Psychological first aid trains you on how to deal with tough stuff (stress, grief, burnout, trauma, etc) and how to be there for someone else when they’re dealing with it.
In accordance with the Red Cross, our instructors teach psychological first aid using a Look, Listen, Link, and Live model. This approach is designed to build resiliency and show participants how to spot the signs, stay grounded, offer support, and take care of their own wellbeing along the way.
Who Needs It (& Who It Helps)
We’d argue pretty much everyone.
You don’t have to work in emergency services or mental health to get something out of psychological first aid. It’s useful in everyday life—at work, at home, at school, even just chatting with a friend who’s having a rough week.
It helps you understand what stress, grief, or trauma can look like in different people, and how to respond without inadvertently making things worse (or feeling totally helpless).
Here are a few groups that benefit from training the most:
- Teachers and school staff
- First responders and healthcare workers
- Workplace managers and HR teams
- Community volunteers and non-profit staff
- Parents and caregivers
- Teens (14+) and young adults
- Anyone who wants to be a more supportive human
It also makes a great addition to workplace first aid programs or mental health initiatives in schools and organizations.
While you’re here, let’s debunk these 5 mental health myths.
Psychological First Aid Course Options
At First Edition, we offer a few different psychological first aid course options so you can pick the one that fits your schedule and what you’re hoping to get out of it.
1. Full Course (In-Person or Blended)
This one covers how to support yourself and others. It’s taught by a certified Red Cross instructor and uses real-life scenarios to help you:
- Build confidence
- Understand stress responses
- Learn how to have supportive conversations that don’t feel awkward or forced
You’ll also learn how to spot early signs of burnout, how trauma can show up in different people, and how to take care of your own mental health so you’re not pouring from an empty cup. The class is 12 hours if taken in-person, or you can do a blended option (part online, part in-person). It’s great for group wellness training or team development.
Cost: $155 for full in-class / $125 for blended
Group minimum: 8 people
Register for Full Psychological First Aid Course.
2. Self-Care Course (Online)
If you’re more focused on your own wellbeing right now, our self-care course is worth considering. It’s a short, online training (about 45–90 minutes) that walks you through how to:
- Recognize stress in your own life
- Build healthy habits
- Create a plan to protect your mental health moving forward
It’s flexible, go-at-your-own-pace, and super practical, whether you’re managing a busy job, raising kids, or just trying to juggle it all without burning out.
Cost: $20
Group discount: 10% off for 8+ people
Register for Self-Care Psychological First Aid Course.
3. Caring for Others Course (Online)
This one focuses more on supporting the people around you. It digs into how different groups respond to stress (like kids, seniors, or folks dealing with health issues) and how to offer support in a way that’s thoughtful, respectful, and culturally aware.
You’ll still learn self-care techniques, but the real focus is on being someone others can turn to in tough times—without taking it all on yourself.
Cost: $20
Group discount: 10% off for 8+ people
Register for Caring for Others Psychological First Aid Course.
Every course comes with a printable certificate, and all are open to anyone aged 14 or older.
Wrapping Up
Mental health isn’t something we should only think about when things get bad. It deserves the same kind of everyday care and attention we give to physical health—maybe even more.
Psychological first aid gives people the skills to check in, speak up, and do something helpful when someone is struggling. It helps cut through the awkward silence, the “I don’t know what to say,” and the urge to just move on and hope things get better.
Taking a course doesn’t make you a mental health expert. But it does make you better equipped to recognize when someone needs support, and more confident in how you show up for them—and for yourself.
First Edition offers Red Cross-certified training options that are flexible, practical, and open to anyone 14+. Explore our first aid courses or contact us with questions.
