At the Red Cross of Velika Plana, on September 10, 2025, a training session was held for employees and volunteers working on info lines and in direct contact with older persons and other vulnerable groups. The topic of the training was psychological first aid, conducted by experts from the Red Cross of Serbia, Nataša Todorović and Dr Milutin Vračević.

The training methodology was interactive and participatory, enabling participants to develop skills for providing support to older people through practical examples and discussions.

Special emphasis was placed on the three core principles of psychological first aid:

• Look – pay attention to safety, basic needs, and people’s reactions,
• Listen – establish contact, hear people’s needs and concerns, and help them calm down,
• Link – connect people with services, information, loved ones, and social support.

The training was organized within the framework of the project “Strengthening Access to Health Care, Participation and Social Equity in the Western Balkans (SHAPE)”, which aims to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of crises and increase the inclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly older persons, in health and social systems. The project contributes to improving access to health care, social services, and economic participation, as well as promoting healthy ageing and the importance of mental health.

SHAPE is funded by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Austria and the Austrian Red Cross.