In a proactive move to foster a more supportive and resilient academic environment, Saint Louis University (SLU) faculty members including the Basic Education School (BEdS), gathered for a Psychological First Aid (PFA) lecture on 18 September 2025, at the Prince Bernhard Gym, SLU Main Campus.
The training was one of the key sessions of UPSTART 2025, a university-wide faculty capacity-building program organized by the University Instruction Development Committee (UIDC). This year’s program, themed “Unifying Effectiveness and Deepening Communal Compassion”, emphasized the crucial role of empathy and mental health support within the educational setting.
Spearheaded by the SLU Center for Counseling and Wellness (CCW), the PFA training session was guided by the theme “Hope for Tomorrow.” The training was structured in two phases to ensure both foundational knowledge and practical application. The session aimed to equip educators with the essential skills to provide immediate, practical, and compassionate support to students and colleagues experiencing distress.
The first phase was open to all faculty members in attendance. This foundational session covered the essential What, Why, Who, When, Where, and How of PFA. Facilitators from the CCW provided a clear framework on how to recognize distress, offer empathetic support, manifest the core values aligned to PFA, and understand the crucial “dos and don’ts” when assisting someone in a crisis. The core principles of Look, Listen, and Link were thoroughly discussed, providing a solid theoretical grounding for all educators.
The second phase was a targeted, hands-on workshop for academic leaders that included the school Deans, Associate Deans, Department Heads, Clinical Instructors, and Practicum Coordinators. This session featured a crisis simulation where participants applied the PFA principles in realistic school scenarios. This practical exercise was designed to build confidence and competence, ensuring that key academic personnel are prepared to act effectively and compassionately during emergencies.
The participation of faculty from all academic levels, from elementary to the postgraduate level, underscores the university’s holistic approach to well-being. By empowering its educators, SLU-CCW aims to create a network of compassionate first responders across its campuses, ensuring that every member of the Louisian community has access to immediate support in times of crisis.
The CCW facilitators clarified that PFA does not serve as a clinical diagnosis, but functions as a supportive and empathetic first-line response to help individuals feel secure, connected, and hopeful.
This initiative is a significant step in SLU’s ongoing commitment to mental health advocacy, reinforcing the university’s mission to nurture not only academically excellent but also emotionally resilient individuals. By equipping all faculty with awareness and providing leaders with practical skills, SLU fosters a proactive and caring community ready to offer hope and stability when needed. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), by fostering a safe and supportive environment essential for effective learning. (Article and Photos by Christine Marie Kee, SLU-CCW)
