As I’ve mentioned already in a couple of different posts, the COVID-19 pandemic we are still finding ourselves in has unfortunately negatively influenced mental health conditions for many of us. Isolation, social distancing and limited social interactions are arguably all contributors to a diminishment in our moods overall, and I think this mental wellness decline should be brought to everyone’s attention because of its relevance to all of us.
Having an understanding of how to navigate through mental health hiccups can be challenging, whether it be for ourselves or someone else. Thankfully, though, “Johns Hopkins University is responsible for publishing a free online college course for conducting ‘Psychological First Aid’ on people with depression, anxiety, or emotional distress,” says an article from The Good News Network.
“Since it was released to the public on Coursera, thousands of people from around the world have completed the course with more than 200,000 students currently enrolled,” the article explains. “Not only that, it has become one of the most popular classes offered on Coursera.”
Dr. George S. Everly, who is the co-author of the book The John Hopkins Guide to Psychological First Aid and is further the co-founder of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, is also the class instructor. He is a “pioneering psychological expert,” according to the article.
As for what exactly the class entails? “The class, which is divided into a number of 30-minute and 2-hour lessons over the course of 5 weeks, covers everything from reflective listening to prioritizing and responding to life-threatening mental health situations.
“More specifically, the course covers Dr. Everly’s RAPID psychological response model, which stands for ‘Reflective Listening’, ‘Assessment of Needs,’ ‘Prioritization’, ‘Intervention’, and ‘Disposition’.”
I think this is a fantastic initiative from John Hopkins University as well as Dr. Everly. If you or someone you know could benefit from taking the class, be sure to let them know about it.
ontheedgeofeverything 