This peer reviewed study published in the Journal of Applied Neurosciences highlights the pressing need for proactive mental health strategies broadly in professional contexts, as well as in high-stress professions like healthcare and emergency services. Traditional mental health interventions often focus on reactive measures, addressing issues only after they manifest.
The Resilience First Aid (RFA) program offers a strength-based, preventative approach to resilience and peer support, leveraging the Predictive 6 Factor Resilience (PR6) model and the ALL Protocol. By integrating neurobiological and psychotherapeutic principles, RFA aims to build personal and community resilience while addressing gaps in existing mental health support systems.
How to cite this article: Rossouw, J.G., & Ruberto, M. (2025). Resilience First Aid: Primary prevention through a strength-based peer support programme. Journal of Applied Neurosciences, 4(1), a17. https://doi.org/10.4102/jan.v4i1.17
Key Findings
The study overall focuses on the scientific foundations that enable Resilience First Aid to achieve meaningful impact in making prevention practical, addressing gaps and structuring the training effectively for long term effectiveness.
1. Innovative Framework for Resilience and Peer Support – RFA combines the Predictive 6 Factor Resilience (PR6) model’s measurable and modifiable domains (Composure, Collaboration, Vision, Reasoning, Health, and Tenacity) with the neuroscience-informed ALL Protocol (Appreciate, Listen, and Lift). The PR6 model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and enhancing resilience, while the ALL Protocol offers a structured conversational tool designed to foster emotional regulation, empathy, and proactive problem-solving. Together, these tools enable participants to address mental health challenges systematically, providing both theoretical and practical strategies for effective peer support and resilience-building.
2. Proactive and Scalable Impact – Designed for broad application and additionally for high-stress environments like healthcare and emergency services, RFA’s proactive approach addresses mental health challenges before they escalate into crises. The program’s structured design and integration with neurobiological insights make it adaptable to various organizational contexts. Accreditation by Suicide Prevention Australia and the American Academy for Continuing Medical Education further validates RFA’s credibility and underscores its potential to set new standards in mental health support, offering a scalable, evidence-based solution for enhancing workforce sustainability and resilience.
3. Focus on Peer Support Sustainability – RFA includes a unique self-care component for peer supporters, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their own mental health while supporting others. The “Anchor” strategy equips peer supporters with tools to regulate their emotions and sustain their resilience, ensuring that they can provide effective and long-term support. This addresses a critical gap in traditional peer support programs, which often overlook the well-being of the supporters themselves.
Resilience First Aid - Proactive Training
The Resilience First Aid program represents a transformative shift in mental health support, moving from reactive interventions to proactive, strength-based strategies. Its integration of neuroscience, psychotherapeutic principles, and practical frameworks addresses critical gaps in peer support and resilience-building.
By equipping individuals and organizations with tools to mitigate mental health risks like burnout, PTSD, and suicide, RFA offers a scalable solution for enhancing public health outcomes and workforce sustainability.
