title: Psychological first aid training for Lebanese field workers in the emergency context of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
abstract: The Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon required a fast and efficient comprehensive rescue strategy. Professionals working in emergency response were neither prepared to provide psychological first aid nor prepared to screen for mental health disorders in child refugees. This article examines the efficacy of a national training program in psychological first aid (PFA) to enhance the readiness of mental health field workers in the Syrian refugee response. Participant (N = 109) were recruited from Lebanese ministries and nongovernmental organizations. They received a 2.5-day training on PFA and on screening for mental health disorders in children. Their knowledge and perceived readiness were assessed before the training, immediately after the training, and 1 month after the training using 2 evaluation forms. Evaluation Form A was a multiple choice questionnaire composed of 20 questions and created on the basis of the content of the training, and Evaluation Form B was a Likert-type scale of 20 items created based on the core components of PFA. The data of 60 participants were analyzed. The results showed a significant increase in knowledge and readiness, specifically on the components related to the principles and techniques of PFA.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center.
authors: Leyla
authors: L
authors: Akoury-Dirani
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center.
authors: Tina S
authors: TS
authors: Sahakian
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center.
authors: Fahed Y
authors: FY
authors: Hassan
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center.
authors: Ranya V
authors: RV
authors: Hajjar
authors: Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, American University of Beirut.
authors: Khalil
authors: K
authors: El Asmar
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005392:First Aid / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013593:Syria; D016896:Treatment Outcome