RAPID Psychological First Aid
RAPID Psychological First Aid (RAPID PFA) is an intervention specifically designed to guide individuals through the evidence-based and validated Psychological First Aid (PFA) training. PFA is a humane, supportive response to a fellow human being who is suffering and who may need support. It is meant to be utilized by individuals without formal mental health training, enabling them to effectively address surging mental health levels following a disaster. RAPID PFA trains individuals to administer psychological first aid while walking through the process of the five steps simplified in the acronym RAPID.
- R – Rapport and Reflective Listening
- A – Assessment
- P – Prioritization
- I – Intervention
- D – Disposition
Opportunities for Receiving RAPID PFA Training
- Free, online, asynchronous, self-paced course
- Free Zoom workshop with roleplay elements
- Free in-person workshop with roleplay elements
If you are interested in completing any of our RAPID PFA trainings, the online course link can be accessed below. Email tysonjs@appstate.edu to schedule a live workshop.
Access the Online Course
APP-PHI offers a free online course to any community members interested in gaining and developing the skills for administering RAPID PFA. You do not have to be a professional in a relevant field or have any formal training to take this course!
The course was created by Johns Hopkins University. APP-PHI has adopted the course and made adaptations to best fit the needs and desires of the local rural Appalachian community, focusing on increasing accessibility and cultural appropriateness. You may hear the APP-PHI version referred to as Revamped RAPID PFA.
RAPID PFA Materials
- AsuLearn Global Instructions – Step-by-step instructions for navigating the online RAPID PFA course.
- RAPID PFA Cheat Sheet – Cheat sheet to help you remember the components on RAPID PFA. English and Spanish versions available.
- One-Pager – Comprehensive One Pager describing what RAPID PFA is and how it benefits your community.
Research Supporting RAPID PFA
RAPID PFA is an evidence-based intervention that improves individuals’ confidence in responding to emergency situations. Check out our Evaluation Manuscript outlining the effectiveness of our RAPID PFA and our online course.