Canadian Red Cross Certified · Online & Self-Paced · 45–90 Minutes · No Prerequisites
Aspire First Aid Guide Training — Mississauga and Hamilton's certified provider of Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid (PFA). Two practical online courses designed to help you build personal resilience and support others through stress, crisis, and trauma — no experience required.
Mon–Sun 8 am–5:30 pm · info@fagt.ca
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a practical, evidence-informed approach to supporting mental well-being during times of stress, crisis, or trauma. Developed by the Canadian Red Cross, it focuses on helping individuals manage their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions — and empowering them to support others, such as family members, friends, colleagues, and community members, when they are struggling to cope.
A supportive, preventive approach for everyday people. PFA gives you practical tools to recognise stress and emotional distress early, respond with empathy, and build lasting resilience — before a situation becomes a crisis.
PFA is not therapy, counselling, or clinical treatment. It does not replace professional mental health care. It is a compassionate, non-clinical tool designed for non-specialists — anyone who wants to help themselves or others navigate difficult times.
Observe and assess the situation. Who is affected? What are the immediate needs?
Approach calmly, make contact, and listen actively without judgement or assumptions.
Connect people to information, services, and support they need — including professional resources when appropriate.
Help create a sense of safety, calm, and connection for those who are distressed.
Recognise your own limits. Protect your well-being so you can sustainably support others.
Each course is independent, self-paced, and takes 45–90 minutes. You can take one or both. Both are available online.
Learn to recognise the effects of stress, loss, and trauma — and build a personal self-care plan to protect and strengthen your own mental well-being.
Anyone looking to build personal resilience to stress. Ideal for individuals navigating workplace pressure, life transitions, grief, or general anxiety.
Learn to recognise when someone is struggling and how to offer help with empathy, compassion, and confidence — without judgement or assumptions.
Anyone who wants to develop skills to help others cope with stress. Ideal for managers, teachers, caregivers, community workers, and anyone who supports people in their personal or professional life.
PFA is designed for everyone — no clinical background required. These courses are especially valuable for people in the following roles.
Support employees through stress, burnout, and difficult life events with confidence and compassion.
Recognise stress and emotional distress in students and know how to respond with care and appropriate referrals.
Complement clinical skills with compassionate psychological support for patients, clients, and colleagues.
Learn to support children, elderly family members, and loved ones through stress, grief, and trauma.
Equip first responders, volunteers, and disaster relief workers with psychological support skills to complement physical first aid.
Support community members navigating grief, crisis, displacement, or collective trauma with practical, evidence-based tools.
| Feature | Psychological First Aid (PFA) | Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Prevention & resilience-building | Responding to acute mental health crises |
| Format | Online · Self-paced | In-person or blended · Multi-day |
| Duration | 45–90 minutes per course | ~12 hours |
| Best For | Everyday people, workplaces, families | Those responding to mental health emergencies |
| Clinical Knowledge Required | No | No, but more clinical context covered |
| Provider | Canadian Red Cross | Mental Health Commission of Canada |
If your goal is to build personal resilience or learn to offer everyday emotional support — PFA is ideal. It's quick, accessible, and practical. If you work in a role where you may need to respond to someone experiencing a mental health crisis (psychosis, suicidal ideation, panic attack) — MHFA provides deeper clinical context. Many people benefit from taking both.
Looking to bring Psychological First Aid training to your organisation in Mississauga or Hamilton? We offer group and facilitated PFA delivery for workplaces, healthcare organisations, schools, non-profits, and community groups.
Speak directly with our team for group rates, custom scheduling, and facilitated delivery options.
+1 (289) 890-2898Send us your organisation name, group size, and preferred dates.
info@fagt.caPsychological First Aid is a practical, evidence-informed approach to supporting mental well-being during times of stress, crisis, or trauma. Developed by the Canadian Red Cross, it focuses on helping you manage your own emotions and empowering you to support others with empathy and compassion — without clinical training.
Both courses are independent, online, and self-paced. You can take one or both.
Both courses are online and self-paced, taking approximately 45 to 90 minutes each. You can complete them at any time, on any device, and pause and resume as needed.
No prerequisites. Both PFA courses are open to everyone regardless of age, background, or prior training. They are designed for the general public.
Yes. A Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid certificate is issued digitally upon successful completion of each course.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) — focuses on prevention and resilience. Short, online, accessible to everyone. Helps you build coping strategies and support others through stress before it escalates.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) — focuses on responding to acute mental health crises. Multi-day, more clinical context. Designed for those who may need to respond to someone experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
Many people benefit from taking both — PFA for everyday resilience, MHFA for crisis response.
No. Psychological First Aid is not therapy or clinical treatment. It is a supportive, non-clinical approach for everyday people who want to protect their own well-being or help others navigate difficult times. It does not replace professional mental health care.
Yes. We offer group and facilitated PFA delivery for workplaces, schools, healthcare organisations, non-profits, and community groups in Mississauga and Hamilton. Contact us at (289) 890-2898 or info@fagt.ca for group rates and scheduling.
The PFA online courses are available anywhere in Canada — complete them at home, at work, or on any device. For facilitated group delivery at your Mississauga or Hamilton location, contact us to arrange a session.
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