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Mental Health

Psychological First Aid

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Convo Academy

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Course Overview

Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Communities: A Peer Support Training Programme

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed approach that equips ordinary people with the skills to provide immediate emotional and practical support to individuals experiencing distress, crisis, trauma, grief, or other difficult life circumstances. This course is designed for community members who want to support others safely, compassionately, and effectively without becoming therapists or counsellors.

Developed by Convo Africa Academy, this course recognises that the first person someone turns to in a difficult moment is often a friend, neighbour, teacher, faith leader, colleague, or family member. Through practical lessons, real-life scenarios, reflective exercises, and community-centred approaches, participants will learn how to recognise distress, offer supportive listening, promote resilience, and connect people to appropriate professional help when needed.

The course is self-paced, mobile-friendly, and tailored to African community contexts, making it accessible to learners from diverse backgrounds. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate in Psychological First Aid and Community Peer Support.

Course Content

  • Introduction: Welcome to Convo Academy

    • Karibu to Convo Academy

  • Module 1: Introduction to Psychological First Aid

    • What is Psychological First Aid?

    • Why PFA matters in our communities

    • Myths and facts

    • Your role: the peer supporter

    • Story: The morning at Kerugoya Junction

    • Module 1 check: quiz & reflection

    • Module 1 Quiz: Introduction to PFA

  • Module 2: Understanding Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

    • What is mental health, really?

    • The mental health continuum

    • Risk and protective factors

    • Resilience and the words that build it

    • Story: Wanjiru and the empty chair

    • Module 2 check: quiz & reflection

    • Module 2 Quiz: Understanding Mental Health & Well-being

  • Module 3: Stress, Crisis, Trauma, and Grief

    • Stress, crisis, trauma, grief — naming them

    • Normal reactions to abnormal events

    • Grief and loss

    • Story: When the river rose

    • Module 3 check: quiz & reflection

    • Module 3 Quiz: Stress, Crisis, Trauma & Grief

  • Module 4: Core Communication Skills

    • Listening to understand

    • Empathy, validation, and being real

    • The body speaks: non-verbal skills and blockers

    • Story: Two replies at the men’s fellowship

    • Module 4 check: quiz, practice & reflection

    • Module 4 Quiz: Core Communication Skills

  • Module 5: Look, Listen, Link

    • The Look–Listen–Link framework

    • Safety, calm, and stabilisation

    • What NOT to do

    • Story: Fire at the market

    • Module 5 check: quiz, practice & reflection

    • Module 5 Quiz: Look, Listen, Link

  • Module 6: Supporting People in Distress

    • Recognising anxiety, depression, and panic

    • Supporting in the moment: panic and low mood

    • Substance use and vulnerability

    • Supporting special groups

    • Story: Three who are struggling

    • Module 6 check: quiz & reflection

    • Module 6 Quiz: Supporting People in Distress

  • Module 7: Risk Identification & Referral

    • Recognising risk — with care

    • Ask → Stay → Connect

    • Self-harm, safeguarding, and referral pathways

    • The system you work inside: policy, law & guidelines

    • Story: Brian at the youth group

    • Module 7 safety check & your referral map

    • Module 7 Safety Assessment: Risk Identification & Referral

  • Module 8: Ethics, Boundaries & Confidentiality

    • The peer supporter’s ethics

    • Confidentiality and its limits

    • Boundaries and diversity

    • Story: The cousin’s employer

    • Module 8 check: quiz, code & reflection

    • Module 8 Quiz: Ethics, Boundaries & Confidentiality

  • Module 9: Self-Care for Peer Supporters

    • You cannot pour from an empty cup

    • Warning signs and everyday tools

    • Your wellness plan and peer circles

    • Story: Achieng is running on empty

    • Module 9 check: quiz, plan & reflection

    • Module 9 Quiz: Self-Care for Peer Supporters

  • Module 10: Community Action

    • From learner to community actor

    • Running a safe peer support group

    • Your Peer Support Action Plan

    • Story: The Kirinyaga cohort

    • Course completion: final project & certificate

    • The Peer Supporter Code of Conduct

    • Your end-of-course evaluation

    • Module 10 Quiz: Community Action & Application

KSh 2,000.00
  • Course Level Beginner
  • Lessons 57
  • Duration 30 hr
  • Language English
  • Enrolled 4
  • Additional Resource 0
  • Last Update July 1, 2026