Service goal:

To provide timely psychological support service to reduce the emotional distress and sufferings of vulnerable people and carers, who are affected by disasters or emergencies, and to foster their adaptive functioning and coping

Target groups:
Hong Kong Communities affected by local and overseas disasters, emergencies or community crises

What is Psychological First Aid?

Emergencies usually come all of a sudden and physical injuries may happen unexpectedly. Some of the affected people’s basic assumptions towards self and the world (e.g. the world is safe, life is meaningful etc.) may be shattered after trauma. They may have feelings of losing sense of control, losing sense of security, and helplessness. It is evidenced that inappropriate psychological interventions can do harm on the affected people.

Psychological First Aid is an evidence-informed modular approach designed to reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events and to foster adaptive functioning and coping. Psychological First Aid intervention strategies are intended for use with children, adolescents, parents/caretakers, families, and adults exposed to emergencies. It can also be provided to first responders and other disaster relief workers.

PFA is not a kind of counseling but aims at establishing a human connection by active listening and providing practical assistance in a non-intrusive and compassionate manner. It enhances immediate and ongoing safety, and provides physical and emotional comfort. It also provides information that helps survivors cope effectively with the psychological impact of emergencies. Furthermore, it would refer the emotionally disturbed individuals to other community organizations when appropriate to ensure the affected people are linked to future service providers.

Core Actions of Psychological First Aid include: Look, Listen and Link.​​

Shall We Talk Psychological Support Service

Make an appointment for Shall We Talk Psychological Support Service

“Shall We Talk”Psychological Support Service is open to public

Our service aims to provide assistance to anyone who are disturbed by social unrest, COVID19 and critical incidents like industrial incident, serious accident or family tragedy.  Citizens may call or send messages to WhatsApp 5164 5040 and Telegram @hkrcshallwetalk to make appointment.  The Psychological Support Services of the HKRC are handled by Professional Clinical Psychologists and trained Psychological Support Service volunteers.  

You can also fill in the 3 minutes Mental Health Test to understand more on your mental health condition. After completion, we will provide you with a simple assessment report.

Psychological Support Service Volunteer Team

More than 200 Psychological First Aid volunteers in the team are committed to offering timely psychological first aid services to people affected by emergencies with an aim to reduce their initial distress, and to provide the public with psychological first aid and psychoeducation training.

Award

• 2022: Outstanding Volunteer Group, Hong Kong Volunteer Award (Jointly organized by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service) ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TKEUXsqasg)
• 2021: The Spirit of Teamwork Award (Group Award), The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards (Jointly organized by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group)( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlQbKj2BlSY)

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