Medical Reserve Corps to Offer Psychological First Aid Training on March 22
Poughkeepsie…. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Dutchess County will offer two opportunities to learn Psychological First Aid on Thursday, March 22, 2018, with sessions at 3 and 7 p.m, at the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, 392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie. The presentation is free and open to the public, but registration prior to the event is required. Seating is limited.
“Psychological First Aid teaches people how they can lessen their symptoms of distress following a disaster or other traumatic event,” said A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH, Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health. “While first responders and other professionals find this training useful, truly anyone can benefit from learning strategies that are proven to help manage the emotions associated with a highly stressful event.”
Centered around the concept of human resilience, Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based program that teaches ways to manage the range of emotions and responses related to a disaster, terrorism or other highly stressful or traumatic event. The program will be led by Amy Nitza, Ph.D, LMHC, who is director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz and a specialist in mental health training and group counseling.
The Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County is part of a national network of more than 200,000 volunteers dedicated to supporting public health infrastructure as well as disaster preparedness and response in the community. Both medical professionals and non-medical volunteers are needed.
For more information about the Medical Reserve Corps, or to register, please contact MRC Coordinator Joe Ryan at (845) 486-2493 or jryan@dutchessny.gov. For information on upcoming trainings, visit www.dutchessNY.gov/MRC.
