Public Online Courses

• Psychological First Aid for Professionals
• Supporting Well-being Through Deployments
  
• Shareable document with QR codes 
  

Training for DPS Members Only

• Introduction to Emergency Support Services
• Disaster Mental Health
  
• Psychological First Aid for Professionals
• Supporting Well-being Through Deployments

Psychological First Aid (PFA) training provides first responders and ESS with the knowledge to assist people who have been affected by disasters. PFA is provided within days of a disaster to reduce the initial distress caused by an event and to help those affected by fostering short-term and long-term coping skills.

Next sessions:

Weekday: Tuesday April 22 & Wednesday April 23, 2025: 9am-1pm PST, register here

Weekend: Saturdays April 26 & May 3, 2025: 9am-1pm PST, register here

(please note that due to high interest, registration on this form does not guarantee spot – a confirmation email will be sent when your spot is secured).

The Wellness Exchange is a free skill-building curriculum consisting of five modules offered in weekly, virtual sessions that are an hour in length. It provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on our well-being, actively identify what we need, and consider strategies that help us enhance our wellbeing.

The Wellness Exchange is available to anyone who is interested in building additional skills around resiliency and coping. It is offered in a virtual group format with a focus on self-reflection and opportunities for interaction. Participants can join as few or as many sessions as they want.

Register here or read more information in this flyer (PDF).

• Problem Solving
• Tuesday, May 6, 2025: 7-8pm (PST)
  
• Thursday, May 8, 2025: 12-1pm (PST)
• Positive Activities
• Tuesday, May 13, 2025: 7-8pm (PST)
• Thursday, May 15, 2025: 12-1pm (PST)
• Managing Reactions
• Tuesday, May 20, 2025: 7-8pm (PST)
• Thursday, May 22, 2025: 12-1pm (PST)
• Helpful Thinking
• Tuesday, May 27, 2025: 7-8pm (PST)
• Thursday, May 29, 2025: 12-1pm (PST)
• Healthy Connections
• Tuesday, June 3, 2025: 7-8pm (PST)
• Thursday, June 5, 2025: 12-1pm (PST)

Introduction to Psychological First Aid (PFA) with Dr. Laurie Pearce 

Viewing time: 48 mins. (approx)

Lunch and Learn: Unpacking the Pandemic with Candice Alder Viewing time: 106 mins. (approx, includes Q&A)

Lunch and Learn: Supporting Newcomers in Emergencies with Ryan Drew

Viewing time: 60 mins. (approx, includes Q&A)

Lunch and Learn: Police Victim Services with Kim Gramlich

Viewing time: 53 mins. (approx, includes Q&A)

Lunch and Learn: Canadian Disaster Animal Reponse Team with Cheryl Rogers

Viewing time:  63 mins. (approx, includes Q&A)

• January 2025
  
• February 2025
  
• March 2025
  

Provincial Psychosocial Services works closely with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the regional health authorities as well as non-government organizations to support disaster response and recovery in B.C. If requested, consultation services are available. Please send an email to dpsprogram@phsa.ca for more information.

The Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Community Mental Health and Wellness (Word) is a guide to help communities plan, prepare, and respond to the mental health and wellness impacts of a disaster in their community. It includes best practices with a scalable, flexible, and adaptable approach for communities. If requested, Provincial Psychosocial Services can consult with local governments interested in using the toolkit to help implement it and support other needs.

Share Your Community's Recovery Story!

Provincial Psychosocial Services of Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC) is looking to showcase and learn from people-focused stories of recovery after emergencies. These can include stories of compassion, creativity and engagement that can be shared to help inspire others. Stories should be submitted by September 30.

View the invitation (Word)

Compiled by Provincial Psychosocial Services, the Wellness Resource List (PDF) includes contact information for counselling, wellness and self-care services, and crisis lines.