Poughkeepsie…. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Dutchess County will offer Psychological First Aid training on Thursday, August 10th, at 7 p.m., at the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response (DER), 392 Creek Road in Poughkeepsie. The training is free and open to the public, but registration prior to the event is required.
“Psychological First Aid teaches people how to manage their immediate response and reactions to a disaster, emergency, or other highly stressful or traumatic event,” said A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH, Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health. “While all people will benefit from this program, it is especially vital training for first responders, emergency response personnel, and other care and human service professionals.”
Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based training program that will teach participants proven ways to reduce their symptoms of distress immediately following a disaster, terrorism or other trauma. 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 DutchessNY.gov/MRC.
