PTSD Awareness and Resilience (PTSD-Aw)
PTSD Awareness and Resilience training is part 1 of 2, towards training in Trauma-Responsive Psychological First Aid. This part 1 training enabled participants to understand how to effectively manage their own psychological welfare in situations where they may be exposed to difficult or distressing situations/content.
The day began by explaining how human beings respond to threat, and the immediate impact this has on the body and brain.
We then discussed the aftereffects of an acute stress response; defining and explaining the signs and symptoms of acute stress, post traumatic and prolonged/chronic stress. This led on to discussing why we may have evolved to have these aftereffects, and what the purpose and benefits of them might be and why they can be considered ‘normal’.
The second half of the day focused on psychological resistance and resilience. We explained what is meant by these terms and what straightforward strategies can help reduce the aftereffects of acute stress. We will explored what factors could increase vulnerability to being traumatised, and what simple strategies could help build greater resistance.
By the end of day you understood more about why stress occurs and simple self-help strategies that can help you and others. You also explored when professional support should be accessed and how this type of support can help.