Resources for Psychological First Aid for School
These resources promote resilience among students, staff, and families by emphasizing support and well-being during distress. All of these resources are within the PFA-S Toolkit, but this is a quick page reference to access some of them. After a threat, hazard, or incident getting school communities the aid they need to ensure students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Variety of PFA-S Resources
Field Operations Guide
Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) is an evidence-informed intervention model to assist students, families, school personnel, and school partners in the immediate aftermath of an emergency. PFA-S is designed to reduce the initial distress caused by emergencies, and to foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning and coping.
Accessing PFA-S Resources
Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) is a key component of a school’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). During a situation needing those support systems, knowing what actions to take and which external agencies or partners to contact can be challenging. Utilizing the guidance procedures for accessing external psychological support for schools when school-based resources have been exhausted or are overwhelmed will outline the steps for requesting additional mental health assistance during an emergency situation.
Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) teams offer essential support after crises like deaths, providing coping strategies, resources, and referrals to students, staff, and families. They follow district procedures and receive training based on resources like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network manual. The ultimate goal is to ensure students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
PFA-S Time Frame for Response
What are the time stages for response?
PFA-S Tip Sheet
Providing Support to Students & Staff
What Should We Say?
Words make a difference.
How to Talk About a Suicide
Suicide Appropriate Terminology
Writing Message Maps
27-9-3 messages
Sample Letters to Families
Messages for Families