Psychological first aid training for the faith community: A model curriculum

O. Lee McCabe, Jeffrey M. Lating, Adrian M. Mosley, Jonathan M. Links, George S. Everly, Paula J. Teague, Michael J. Kaminsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Traditionally, faith communities have served important roles in helping survivors cope in the aftermath of public health disasters. However, the provision of optimally effective crisis intervention services for persons experiencing acute or prolonged emotional trauma following such incidents requires specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. Supported by a federally-funded grant, several academic health centers and faith-based organizations collaborated to develop a training program in Psychological First Aid (PFA) and disaster ministry for members of the clergy serving urban minorities and Latino immigrants in Baltimore, Maryland. This article describes the one-day training curriculum composed of four content modules: Stress Reactions of Mind-Body-Spirit, Psychological First Aid and Crisis Intervention, Pastoral Care and Disaster Ministry, and Practical Resources and Self Care for the Spiritual Caregiver. Detailed descriptions of each module are provided, including its purpose; rationale and background literature; learning objectives; topics and sub-topics; and educational methods, materials and resources. The strengths, weaknesses, and future applications of the training template are discussed from the vantage points of participants' subjective reactions to the training.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)181-192
Number of pages12
JournalInternational journal of emergency mental health
Volume9
Issue number3
StatePublished - Jun 2007

Keywords

  • Disaster mental health
  • Disaster ministry
  • Disaster training curriculum
  • Faith community
  • Psychological first aid
  • Public health preparedness
  • Spiritual caregiver

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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