Bahrain Red Crescent trains volunteers on psychological aid

TDT | Manama

Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS), in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), organised a training programme entitled “Remote Psychological First Aid to Tackle COVID-19”.

The programme, which was held over three days, was created in the framework of the society’s keenness to build volunteers’ capabilities, and to qualify and strengthen them to provide support services to those in need in all circumstances.

Red Crescent’s volunteers were acquainted with the concept of psychological first aid, the psychological impact of the spread of the virus on society, and applying the principles and skills of psychological first aid. During the programme’s final day, remote scenarios were applied in which participants used the skills they learned.

This included providing remote assistance, how helpers use basic principles of psychological first aid through visual or audio communication only, and the mechanism of speaking slowly, clearly and calmly. In addition, they learned how to reach out in a manner that shows warmth and compassion, change one’s voice in a way that expresses interest, good listening, and the use of affirmative phrases especially when speaking with a very anxious caller.

They were also trained to use visual means to communicate with those in need of psychological support. The programme emphasised the strategies and methods of self-care for volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as maintaining daily routines at home or the workplace, practising activities and exercises, staying in touch, maintaining spiritual and religious customs, allocating time to communicate with family and friends, accepting feelings and emotions, and supporting one’s peers.

The training was supervised by MENA Mental Health and Regional Psychosocial Support Office director Dr Mahmoud Tharwat, IFRC Reference Center for Psychosocial Support representative Professor Ahlam Al Shafi, and BRCS Awareness Health Committee chairperson Professor Mayser Sabry Awadallah.