Psychological first aid: Supporting people affected by disaster in Australia

Australian Red Cross and Australian Psychological Society, Australia, 2020

Related to Disasters, Resilience, Responding to traumatic events, Stress

The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview for people working in disaster preparedness, response and recovery about best-practice in psychological first aid following disasters and traumatic events. Each state and territory has plans to deal with the health consequences of disasters. Included in these plans are arrangements that cover the mental health consequences of emergencies.

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Fact sheet

Psychological First Aid tip card

Emerging Minds

Psychological First Aid for children is an internationally accepted strategy that can be used anytime, but is most widely used in the first hours, days and weeks following a traumatic event. This tip card includes some practical ways that Psychological First Aid for children can be applied.
Guide

Psychological first aid for schools (PFA-S) field operations guide

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Provides guidance on responding to disaster, violence, or terrorism events using the Psychological First Aid intervention. This version gives school administrators, educators, and staff practical assistance to meet immediate needs and concerns, reduce distress, and foster adaptive coping in the wake of a disaster. The manual includes in-depth information about each of the eight core actions and accompanying handouts for administrators, school staff, educators, students, and parents and caregivers.
Short article

The impact of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development

Dr Mandy Truong, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article provides an overview of the research evidence on the impacts of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development with a focus on children aged 12 years and under. It outlines the ways in which parental incarceration can impact child outcomes and provides some practice considerations for how practitioners and services can support children.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This April 2025 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Practice paper

Responding to childhood suicidal ideation through understanding and curiosity

Amanda Kemperman, Emerging Minds

Children, even at a very young age, can experience significant distress and despair that may lead them to think about suicide. This practice paper highlights the importance of listening and striving to understand children's thoughts, ideas and perspectives on the challenges they face.
Webinar

How to use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to support child mental health

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), join our panel of speakers as they explore how neurodivergent-affirming practice strategies support the mental health of autistic and ADHDer children.
Practice paper

Understanding and supporting parental reflective confidence

Nicole Rollbusch

All parents reflect on the needs of their children. But time, opportunity or confidence to do this is limited for some parents. Practitioners can play a vital role in supporting parents to strengthen their reflective confidence.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: February 2025

Prepared by AIFS

This February 2025 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Webinar

Supporting non-offending parents after child sexual abuse

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) this webinar outlines some strategies that you can use to support non-offending parents following a child's disclosure of sexual abuse.
Short article

Why meaningful participation for children in out-of-home care is essential

Joanna Schwarzman, Kristel Alla and Hilary Miller, Australian Institute of Family Studies

This short article outlines why engaging in meaningful participation with children in out-of-home care is central to supporting their wellbeing and respecting their right to participate.
Webinar

Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar explores the impact of childhood bullying, how it affects mental health, the importance of prevention and early intervention, children’s perspectives on bullying, and strategies to work with children experiencing bullying or engaging in bullying behaviour.
Webinar

Supporting families to navigate tough times: The impact of financial and housing insecurity, isolation and discrimination

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar introduces practitioners to a new collection of resources from Emerging Minds that has been created by families who have got through tough times.

Psychological first aid: Supporting people affected by disaster in Australia

Australian Red Cross and Australian Psychological Society, Australia, 2020

Discover more resources

Psychological First Aid tip card

Psychological first aid for schools (PFA-S) field operations guide

The impact of parental incarceration on child behaviour and development

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2025

Responding to childhood suicidal ideation through understanding and curiosity

How to use neurodivergent-affirming strategies to support child mental health

Understanding and supporting parental reflective confidence

Highlights in child mental health research: February 2025

Supporting non-offending parents after child sexual abuse

Why meaningful participation for children in out-of-home care is essential

Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour

Supporting families to navigate tough times: The impact of financial and housing insecurity, isolation and discrimination

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