On January 19, 2026, the Pirot Red Cross hosted a Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for active older volunteers who work with older adults. The aim of the training was to strengthen their capacity to provide quality support in crises and emergency situations, as well as in stressful situations and everyday challenges faced by older people. The training was conducted by Natasa Todorovic and Milutin Vracevic from the Red Cross of Serbia.

Participants learned what psychological first aid entails, its phases, and how to provide the right kind of support through attentive listening, empathy, and connection. The trainers emphasized that psychological first aid is not only a technique for crisis situations but can also be applied in everyday work with people experiencing stress, loss, or cognitive challenges, such as dementia. Developing communication skills and understanding the specific needs of these individuals contributes to better support and improved quality of life.

A particularly significant part of the discussion focused on how to provide adequate support to people living with dementia, including recognizing their needs, using adapted communication, and employing strategies to reduce anxiety.

This training is part of the ongoing activities of the Red Cross of Serbia aimed at strengthening local capacities for providing community support.