Stress First Aid (SFA) is a vital framework designed to help healthcare workers manage stress reactions and promote recovery in high-pressure environments.
Stress First Aid is a structured approach aimed at improving recovery from stress reactions among healthcare workers. It focuses on identifying and addressing early signs of stress, thereby reducing the likelihood of developing more severe or long-term mental health issues. The SFA model emphasizes peer support, self-care, and leadership actions to foster a supportive work environment.
The executive division of the National Center for PTSD at the White River Junction, Vermont, Veterans Administration Medical Center, an affiliate of Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, has developed a program called Stress First Aid (SFA) that has been shown to improve recovery from stress reactions.
SFA’s evidence-based peer support and self-care intervention has been modified for healthcare institutions throughout the country.
Learn more about Stress First Aid
- Stress First Aid for Health Care Workers on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website
- Stress First Aid for Health Care Workers Manual (PDF) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Stress First Aid Briefing Manual (PDF) from the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare