PEER-TO-PEER SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL CARE SIMPLIFIED
Spiritual First Aid
The course transforming everyday people on the frontlines of the mental health crisis
into spiritual first responders and mental health champions.
BIBLICALLY-INFORMED.
EVIDENCE-INFORMED.
TRAUMA-INFORMED.
We Are in a Mental Health Crisis
More people need help than there are professional helpers available. Without proper training, you and others in your church, organization, or community are likely to...
Not know what to say. |
Not know what to do. |
Miss signs of emotional struggles. |
Mistake everything for trauma. |
Experience burnout. |
Experience compassion fatigue. |
Mental health is complex. Helping doesn't have to be.
You don't have to keep worrying if you've done enough to help; there's a better, easier, and proven way to care. Spiritual First Aid’s proven BLESS CPR step-by-step framework and turnkey courses will take the guesswork out of how you care for others struggling with everything from mild stress to mass trauma.
FEATURED IN
Your 3-Step Plan
TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU, YOUR CHURCH, OR ORGANIZATION CARES
CHOOSE COURSE FORMAT
On-demand, facilitator-led group, and workshop options.
GET CERTIFIED
Learn Spiritual First Aid's proven BLESS CPR framework backed by research.
START MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Join us in our mission to reverse the mental health crisis!
STEP 1. CHOOSE COURSE FORMAT
ONE CURRICULUM, FOUR COURSE OPTIONS
On-Demand Certificate Course
This self-paced course is perfect for individuals and can be completed in about six hours.
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Facilitator-Led Group Certificate Course
Ideal for small groups, this course consists of six sessions that can be completed in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format, each requiring ninety minutes to two hours. This structure allows participants to complete the course in as little as nine hours over a six-week period.
Learn MoreWorkshop Certificate Course
Invite our team to speak on-site or virtually at your next event, customized for medium and larger groups, this course can be completed in just one full-day of training.
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Child and Adolescent Mini Course
This introductory course on helping youth with mental health challenges and trauma can be completed individually on-demand in 1-2 hours, or as part of a facilitator-led group in just 2-3 hours.
Learn More
STEP 2. GET CERTIFIED
LEARN OUR PROVEN BLESS CPR FRAMEWORK
Gain the know-how and skills to quickly triage and provide rapid care for unmet BLESS needs and trauma using our proven step-by-step BLESS CPR framework. Providing support in this way helps people positively engage their faith, feel more connected, cultivate healthy coping practices, and improve resilience.
BLESS NEEDS
Gain a deeper understanding of the five core needs our research shows are are most likely to cause spiritual and emotional distress when unmet. Each need is deeply interconnected and can impact faith. Our studies also show trauma commonly causes these needs to go unmet.
BLESS CPR
Similar to medical first aid which provides temporary care, Spiritual First Aid's BLESS CPR step-by-step framework will help you master small actions that make a big difference. You'll learn how to prevent spiritual and emotional injuries from worsening, provide critical in-between care, and connect others with resources for long-term healing.
How Spiritual First Aid Was Developed
30 Years
OF FRONTLINE MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
24 Years
OF PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE
15 Years
OF RESEARCH
5 Years
OF FIELD TESTING
STEP 3. START MAKING A DIFFERENCE
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
You don’t have to be a professional helper or have lots of experience to make a difference. We created Spiritual First Aid so anyone with a desire to help can, regardless of education, training, or profession. We'll give you a plan for leveraging your strengths, research-backed skills, and practical tools to unlock your potential as a helper.
Flexible Formats
Options include on-demand, facilitator-led groups, workshops, and mini courses.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Online training videos, downloadable field guide, workbook, and tools.
HANDS-ON
Gain practical helping skills through applied activities and role-plays.
Together we can reverse the mental health crisis.
Join the movement of Christian mental health champions working to bridge the gap between those needing care and professional mental health resources.
We've Been There, Too
CO-FOUNDERS OF SPIRITUAL FIRST AID
We know first hand how lonely and overwhelming walking with others through mental health struggles can feel. That’s why we created Spiritual First Aid, so you can can make a difference without burning out, and feel confident in the care you give. You'll gain scriptural insights, jargon-free training, research-backed skills, trauma care practices, field-tested tools, actionable tips, and real stories from the frontlines (including our mistakes so you can avoid them).
Jamie Aten, Ph.D.
Trauma Psychologist
Kent Annan, M.Div.
Humanitarian Ministry Leader
JOIN THE SPIRITUAL FIRST AID COMMUNITY
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