Education & Resources

Education and resources are available for DPS volunteers and a wide variety of responder groups and their communities.

​​​​​​​​Education and training

 

 

Psychological First Aid (PFA) training provides first responders and ESS with the knowledge to assist people who have been affected by disasters. PFA is provided within days of a disaster to reduce the initial distress caused by an event and to help those affected by fostering short-term and long-term coping skills.


Next session:

Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 08:30 am to 4:30 pm. 

Facilitator: Nancy Szastkiw

Register Here

(Please note that due to high interest, registration on this form does not guarantee spot – a confirmation email will be sent when your spot is secured. If we run out of space, you will be waitlisted. Each session is limited to 30 seats.)

 

 

The Wellness Exchange is a free skill-building curriculum consisting of five modules offered in weekly, virtual sessions that are an hour in length. It provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on our well-being, actively identify what we need, and consider strategies that help us enhance our wellbeing.​

The Wellness Exchange is available to anyone who is interested in building additional skills around resiliency and coping. It is offered in a virtual group format with a focus on self-reflection and opportunities for interaction. Participants can join as few or as many sessions as they want.

Register here ​​


Problem Solving

    • Tuesday, Nov 3: 7-8pm (PST)
    • Thursday, Nov 5: 12-1pm (PST)

    Positive Activities

      • Tuesday, Nov 10: 7-8pm (PST)
      • Thursday, Nov 12: 12-1pm (PST)

      Managing Reactions

        • Tuesday, Nov 17: 7-8pm (PST)
        • Thursday, Nov 19: 12-1pm (PST)

        Helpful Thinking

          • Tuesday, Nov 24: 7-8pm (PST)
          • Thursday, Nov 26: 12-1pm (PST)

          Healthy Connections

            • Tuesday, Dec 1: 7-8pm (PST)
            • Thursday, Dec 3: 12-1pm (PST)


             


             

            Planning resources

             

            Provincial Psychosocial Services works closely with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the regional health authorities as well as non-government organizations to support disaster response and recovery in B.C. If requested, consultation services are available. Please send an email to dpsprogram@phsa.ca for more information.

             

             

            The Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Community Mental Health and Wellness (Word) is a guide to help communities plan, prepare, and respond to the mental health and wellness impacts of a disaster in their community. It includes best practices with a scalable, flexible, and adaptable approach for communities. If requested, Provincial Psychosocial Services can consult with local governments interested in using the toolkit to help implement it and support other needs.​

             

             

            Compiled by Provincial Psychosocial Services, the Wellness Resource List (PDF) includes contact information for counselling, wellness and self-care services, and crisis lines.