09 April 2025
As part of the EU4HEALTH project, four members of the Luxembourg Red Cross took part in a workshop organised by the French Red Cross on 2nd and 3rd April, focusing on Psychological First Aid (PFA) for young peers.
The training aimed to strengthen young people’s skills so they could provide psychological support to their peers in distress.
Young people, aged 12 to 23, often prefer to confide in friends rather than adults. The PFA for Young Peers programme enabled them to learn how to help effectively by following the core principles: LOOK, LISTEN, LINK.
Thanks to this training, the Luxembourg Red Cross participants are now better prepared to adapt and implement this approach in their daily fieldwork. They will be able to train other young people to become valuable support resources for their peers and contribute to better mental well-being among youth.
LOOK: This first step involves identifying signs of distress. It means observing the environment, spotting individuals who may need help, assessing risks to their safety, and detecting unusual emotional reactions.
LISTEN: Active listening is essential to offer effective support. This includes approaching the person with kindness, giving them the space to express themselves, acknowledging their emotions without judgment, and asking open-ended questions to better understand their needs and concerns.
LINK: Once the needs are identified, support does not stop there. It is about guiding the person toward suitable solutions, such as reconnecting with loved ones, providing helpful information, or referring them to specialised services if needed.
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible.
The EU4Health project is supported by
