Professional Development of a Psychological First Aid Training Curriculum for Community Workers in Flood-Prone South South Communities

Flooding in the South South geopolitical zone displaces thousands annually and generates acute psychological trauma among affected communities, yet community workers who first respond to these events lack formal psychological first aid training. This study developed a professional psychological first aid training curriculum for community workers in flood-prone communities in Bayelsa, Delta, and Anambra States. A curriculum development approach was adopted, drawing on WHO and IASC psychological first aid guidelines, participatory consultations with 30 community health workers and social welfare officers across the three states, and structured interviews with six emergency counselling coordinators. Community worker consultations identified inadequate psychological support knowledge, inability to recognise acute stress reactions, absence of referral pathways, and lack of culturally appropriate supportive communication skills as the primary training gaps. The curriculum developed covers six core competency areas: recognising and responding to acute stress reactions, safe and ethical engagement principles, practical support and needs assessment, connecting to available resources, psychological first aid for children and special populations, and self-care and secondary trauma prevention. Delivery format includes a two-day residential workshop with scenario-based practice, supported by a visual reference card in English and Ijaw. Facilitator training guidelines are provided. Expert review by 10 humanitarian mental health specialists confirmed the curriculum's adequacy and practical applicability. The study recommends the curriculum be adopted by state emergency management agencies across the South South zone.

Keywords: psychological first aid, training curriculum, flood response, South South Nigeria, community workers