What is Emotional First Aid (EFA)?

"Emotional First Aid is the initial response given to a young person experiencing emotional distress before specific professional help is sought and obtained."

The Emotional First Aid training course:
The EFA training course, written by Stuart Gemmell, Jacquie Kelly and Dave Smith in February 2009, runs for 6 sessions and will be evaluated by Southampton Solent University. Each session focuses on a specific area or issue arising when working with a young person.

The course is directed at practitioners who come into contact with young people eg teachers, youth
workers, project co-ordinators, to aid the detection of signs of ‘emotional stuckness’ thereby reducing
the risk of more severe disorders.

This is your opportunity to become a registered Emotional First Aider and even go on to train
others. Please contact us for more information.

The course outlines, as an ‘Emotional First Aider’, your role is to:

• PROMOTE positive emotional health
• Provide SUPPORT and REASSURANCE
• AID in ACCESSING appropriate services
• Undertake RISK ASSESSMENT to help PREVENT HARM to SELF or TO/FROM
  OTHERS
• Create a PARTNERSHIP with the YOUNG PERSON find SOLUTIONS,
  (getting through this together)
• Assist in EARLY DETECTION and INTERVENTION
• Increase KNOWLEDGE, REDUCE STIGMA and INCREASE the SKILL BASE for
  the EMOTIONAL FIRST AIDER

The course material:
The EFA training course uses individually commissioned material throughout the learning process. This includes the ‘Me & U’ booklet and DVD featuring writing, poetry and artwork by young people and the ‘Guide to Anxiety’, a step by step guide to dealing with the negative effects of anxiety and how to embark on making the necessary positive changes.