Psychological First Aid for FSY Counselors

1. SELF-CARE

As FSY counselors, it’s important to prioritize self-care to effectively serve and guide the youth. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said “You have to have fuel in the tank before you can give it to others.” 

Self-care involves everyday habits like eating well, getting enough sleep, and managing stress in a healthy way. It’s about balancing your needs with those of others and focusing on what you can control. Even Jesus Christ took time to rest and pray, emphasizing the necessity of personal boundaries for both physical and spiritual health. 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught, 'If you are […] a caregiver, try not to be overwhelmed with the size of your task. Do not assume you can fix everything but fix what you can. For caregivers, in your devoted effort to assist with another’s health, do not destroy your own. In all these things be wise. Do not run faster than you have strength.' (from 'Like a Broken Vessel,' October 2013).

Activities to do and additional resources: 

Create your own wellbeing plan and include self-care habits in your daily routine before and during FSY. Use the following resources as you develop your plan: 

2. MINISTERING TO OTHERS DURING A CRISIS - PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID

Ministering to others during a crisis is one of the most important ways to follow the Savior’s example. As Elder Dale G. Renlund emphasized, “The Savior’s job is to heal. Our job is to love – to love and minister in such a way that others are drawn to Jesus Christ.” Watch the following video and identify the 5 basic principles of Psychological First Aid (PFA), so you can be better prepared to provide immediate, compassionate support that helps others feel safe and understood.

Activities to do and additional resources: 

  • Review this Pocket Card (Albanian, Bulgarian, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian) with a summary of the 5 basic principles of PFA 
  • Choose one of the following scenarios or picture some past experiences with youth at FSY, and identify how an FSY counselor could utilize PFA principles to support the youth
    1. Sarah, a 14-year-old participant at FSY, has been feeling homesick since the first day. She is often seen sitting alone and looks quiet and is struggling to enjoy the event. 
    2. Ethan, a 15-year-old boy at FSY, feels disconnected from his peers. He comes from a different background and struggles to find common ground with others. 
    3. Anna, a 16-year-old, has recently learned about a challenging situation in her family. She has been feeling overwhelmed by the news and is finding it hard to focus on the activities at FSY.
  • If you want to learn more about Ministering to others in a Crisis – review the following booklet: 2021-05-Helping Children_eng.pdf

3. WELLBEING ROOM

The Wellbeing Room in FSY is a designated safe space where youth can go when they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or in need of emotional support. This room offers a calming environment designed to help young people manage their emotions, recharge, and regain their balance during a crisis or stressful moment. The purpose of the Wellbeing Room is to offer a range of tools and activities to help them regulate their emotions, develop coping strategies, and feel supported.

Activity to do: 

  • Identify where the wellbeing room in your FSY session is located and what resources are available. 

4. ANXIETY & PANIC ATTACKS

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Ministering to someone during an anxiety or panic attack requires compassionate support. Effective intervention during an anxiety or panic attack includes staying calm, helping the person ground themself in the present, guiding the individual through breathing and relaxation techniques, and offering reassurance that the attack will pass. You do not need to have all the answers, but being a steady, calm presence can make a significant difference. By helping the individual stay grounded and focused on the present moment, you provide emotional support and help them regain a sense of 

control. Remember, the principles of ministering in crisis—showing compassion, listening, empathizing, suggesting ways to cope, and offering hope—are the foundation for helping someone through anxiety and panic attacks. With practice, you can support others in managing these overwhelming moments and empowering them to cope. 

Activities to do and additional resources:

5. SUICIDE PREVENTION - Supporting Vulnerable Individuals

“Individuals who are vulnerable - they need more friends, not fewer... they need to know that they are cared for... we do not let people who are vulnerable sit by themselves. We sit with them... It is safe to ask someone if they’re having suicidal thoughts or if they’re having thoughts of harming themselves. I think in most cases the person (at risk) recognizes that that is genuine, caring manifestation of concern.” Elder Dale G. Renlund

IMPORTANT:

While it is crucial to show care and provide immediate emotional support to any youth expressing suicidal thoughts, please remember: FSY is not equipped to manage acute suicidal risk on-site. In such situations, the safest course of action is to immediately notify the Session Directors, who will contact parents/guardians and local priesthood leaders. The youth will probably be invited to return home so they can receive proper professional care and support.

Activities to do and additional resources:

6. UNHEALTHY COPING AND OTHER EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES

Emotional Challenges

In this training session, we will focus on identifying and addressing the emotional challenges and unhealthy coping mechanisms that you might observe during FSY. These challenges may include eating disorders, substance abuse, self-harm, and the disclosure of sexual abuse, among others.

The process of offering help follows three important steps: Awareness, Care, Tell.

  1. Awareness: Recognize the signs and red flags that might indicate emotional distress or unhealthy coping. Approach the person with kindness, concern, and an open heart, initiating a conversation in a compassionate manner. 
  2. Care: Listen actively and empathetically, offering support without trying to fix the situation. Sometimes, simply being there to listen and validate their feelings can make a big difference, and it might encourage them to seek further help. 
  3. Tell: Inform the Health Council or on-site mental health professionals. They are trained to handle such concerns and can provide the appropriate resources and guidance. Remember, you are not expected to handle this alone. The Health Council will assess the situation, determine the best course of action, and offer the necessary care, including connecting the youth with additional resources. 

Activities to do & additional resources:

7. 1:1 SUPPORT FOR YOUTH WITH NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DIVERSITY IN FSY

For some youth with neurodevelopmental diversity, such as autism and ADHD, having dedicated, individualized support is key to helping them engage, participate, and feel included. Jesus Christ is our perfect example of reaching out to the “one,” and we are invited to follow His lead in providing personalized care and ensuring that no one walks their journey alone (see “Bearing One Another’s Burdens,” Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, June 2018). 

If you would like to learn more, please click on the attached documents.

Training for FSY counsellors

Autism & ADHD - with videos

Please take the following QUIZ (https://forms.office.com/r/faB58HbTf8) after completing the training.