Strengthening Community Resilience Through Psychosocial First-Aid Training

In a collaborative effort between Equal Access International (EAI) and Carefronting Nigeria, a series of workshops were conducted to bolster psychosocial first-aid skills across four Nigerian states. Spanning from April to May, these workshops provided foundational and advanced training for counsellors from various Local Government Areas (LGAs), aiming to equip them with essential tools for effective trauma support.

The training sessions commenced in Benue State, where counsellors from Agatu, Guma, and Gwer-West LGAs gathered for immersive activities in psychosocial first-aid basics. As the initiative progressed to Plateau, Kano, and Kaduna States, training modules adapted to local needs, addressing community-specific challenges and fostering skills in resilience, communication, and culturally sensitive interventions. These sessions emphasised practical skills, peer support, and community networking to build sustainable support structures.

This training aligns with the goals of the Securing Nigerian Communities (SNC) project, which EAI leads to empower communities through initiatives like Community Accountability Forums, Women and Youth Peace Builders, and Early Warning Systems. In partnership with Carefronting Nigeria, the SNC project supports trauma workshops, trains psychosocial first-aid responders, and establishes listening centres, all integral to fostering safer and more resilient communities.

Workshop Overview and Participant Demographics

Following foundational training in April, Equal Access International (EAI) and Carefronting Nigeria launched an extensive series of psychosocial first-aid workshops across Benue, Plateau, Kano, and Kaduna states. Aimed at equipping counsellors with essential trauma response skills, each workshop combined theory with interactive exercises like role-playing and case studies to address psychosocial emergencies within various communities.

• Benue State (April 6–8): Held at Doo Palace Hotel, counsellors from Agatu, Guma, and Gwer-West LGAs were received.
• Plateau State (May 9–11): Hosted at NIPSS for counsellors from Jos South, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs.
• Kano State (May 13–15): At Tahir Guest Palace, Gezawa, Nassarawa, and Ungogo LGA counsellors.
• Kaduna State (May 16–18): Conducted at Mogadishu Metro Hotel, this final session for Chikun, Jema’a, and Kajuru LGAs.

Participant Diversity
Across the four states, 86 participants representing multiple LGAs were trained. The workshops attracted a diverse group, with a balanced representation of genders and ages, enhancing peer learning and fostering inclusive community support networks. For instance, Benue had 20 participants (6 males, 14 females) with ages spanning from 20 to 59, while Kano had an equal gender split among 24 attendees.

These workshops are part of EAI’s commitment to building resilient communities through skilled, community-based psychosocial support.

Workshop Objectives Summary
The workshops aimed to equip participants with psychosocial first aid skills, trauma counselling techniques, and the foundational knowledge needed for community support. A major focus was on establishing community listening centres, creating safe spaces, and forming support groups. Participants were trained in active listening and effective communication, with an emphasis on empowering them to meet the emotional needs of their communities.

Workshop Proceedings Summary
Day 1 Highlights
The day began with a pretest and remarks from Dr. Maji Peterx, introducing the Securing Nigerian Communities (SNC) project. Participants discussed community challenges, particularly insecurity. They explored trauma and its impact, using the “trauma onion” model. Activities focused on active listening, creating safe spaces, and practising communication skills. The day concluded with a listening exercise that helped participants refine their ability to identify key aspects of client interactions.

Benue Participants – Day 1:
In Benue, insecurity was identified as the main issue, impacting transportation, food access, education, and job security. Trauma was described as emotional injury caused by overwhelming events. Participants focused on the importance of active listening, emphasising attentiveness, creating a safe space, and respecting others’ values. There was also a need for clarity on the role of Psychosocial First Aiders, who were reminded that their work is voluntary and not financially compensated.

Plateau Participants – Day 1:
In Plateau, participants from Barkin Ladi and Riyom highlighted farmer-herder conflicts, while those from Jos South pointed to parental neglect, leading to substance abuse and teenage pregnancies. Effective communication was emphasised as crucial for fostering empathy. Active listening practices, such as attentiveness and creating safe spaces, were discussed, along with common pitfalls like judgment and distractions.

Kano Participants – Day 1:
In Kano, participants from Nassarawa LGA cited poverty, while Ungogo and Gezawa focused on drug abuse and illiteracy.
Active listening was a key theme, with participants learning to create a safe space for dialogue, ask relevant questions, and avoid judgment and distractions during counselling.

Kaduna Participants – Day 1:
Kaduna participants identified poverty, neglect, illiteracy, and insecurity as major challenges, leading to intergenerational trauma.
Active listening was stressed, with participants learning to give full attention to clients, create a non-judgmental space, and ask open-ended questions. They were also reminded to avoid interrupting clients or offering unsolicited advice.

Day 2 Highlights

The first session focused on stress, where participants shared personal examples of normal and traumatic stress. A facilitator used the metaphor of an overflowing cup to illustrate how unresolved stress can lead to trauma. Participants explored the concept of trauma, discussing primary and indirect trauma, and identified signs such as sleep disorders, maladaptive coping mechanisms, and loss of libido.

The second session centred on trauma support, distinguishing between medical and psychosocial first aid. Therapeutic counselling was introduced as professional guidance to help individuals manage trauma. Participants practised role-playing hypothetical counselling scenarios, emphasising active listening and avoiding advice-giving.

Community Sharing:

Benue Day 2: A participant extended the cup metaphor, linking unresolved trauma to its impact on families and communities. Participants identified trauma signs but struggled with role-playing the counselling scenarios.

Plateau Day 2: Participants shared their views on trauma, citing emotional wounds and distressing events. They agreed that psychosocial first aid involves responding to emotional needs during distress.

Kano Day 2: The group debated the concept of stress, and then discussed examples of trauma. They defined psychosocial first aid as an initial response to distress. The role-play activity showed participants’ strong understanding of counselling techniques.

Kaduna Day 2: Participants reflected on trauma from personal experiences, highlighting the vulnerability of psychosocial first-aiders to trauma’s effects.

Day 3: The final day opened with participants discussing methods to improve the counselling experience for their clients. They reconvened in their support groups to explore techniques for building rapport and initiating counselling sessions. Topics covered included counselling components, therapeutic methods, trauma symptoms, and stress management strategies. Participants reflected on their roles as psychosocial first-aiders and expressed their readiness to support their communities emotionally after the workshop. A post-test on psychosocial first-aid was completed, followed by certificate distribution. Closing remarks were delivered by Mr Mansur in Benue and Steve Garret in Kaduna, where he engaged participants on masculine emotions and “the man box.”

Participants from each region reaffirmed their readiness to support their communities emotionally as psychosocial first-aiders. In Plateau, they planned the establishment of listening centres and future advocacy efforts. A participant from Kano Alhaji Bebeji Sabiu was recognised for his conduct, receiving the “Mr. Integrity” award presented by Dr Maji. Meanwhile, Kaduna participants brainstormed strategies for sharing their newfound knowledge, proposing locations for additional listening centres, and scheduling advocacy visits for future community engagement.

Conclusion
The workshop has proven to be an invaluable experience for participants, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide vital psychosocial support in their communities. At Carefronting Nigeria, we understand the significance of such initiatives in addressing trauma and emotional distress, and we are proud to be part of a collaboration that has empowered individuals to make a lasting impact. We are deeply grateful to EAI for their partnership in delivering this workshop, and we look forward to continuing our shared mission of supporting vulnerable communities across the country.