By Juma Damiano

On August 8, the Counseling Center held a graduation ceremony for the third cohort of the Psychological First Aid Training program. This event aimed at celebrating 156 students, staff, and faculty members who had completed the program in the Spring 2025 semester. With the increasing mental health concerns, this program is one of the initiatives undertaken by the university to train students, staff, and faculty on how to provide psychological support in times of crisis.

There is an increasing demand to empower people with knowledge of mental health issues as well as the possible interventions. Early intervention can make a significant difference in preventing long-term psychological issues. Psychological First Aid is an immediate, humane, and supportive response to someone in distress, including providing referral care and linking them to other relevant resources.

Throughout this training, the trainees learnt ways of supporting individuals in distress, such as offering reassurance, providing basic comfort, and facilitating connections to appropriate resources. The trainees reported an improvement in their ability to handle difficult emotional situations with empathy and concern, even as they continue to practice their skills in real-life scenarios. The trainees are equipped with the skills to recognize the signs of emotional distress, ways to offer meaningful emotional support, and how to practice their self-care to avoid possible burnout.

During the graduation ceremony, the graduating team was provided with certificates of participation, signifying their readiness to be first responders within and without USIU-Africa. Some of them shared their own experiences of the positive impact that the training has had on their lives. One shared that she was able to use the skills acquired in PFA training to support a churchmate who was going through mental distress, through listening, mirroring calmness, and providing a safe space. Others reported that the skills have helped support friends and family members in enhancing relationships.

The Counseling Center continues to urge all the students, staff, and faculty members to register for the upcoming trainings and be part of a great community of first responders.