Emotional CPR: Making Crisis Support Heart-Centered

Over 1 in 3 adults in the United States reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, social isolation, loneliness, fear, and significant life events during the pandemic (i.e., the loss of a job or loved one) are all high-risk factors for suicidality.

The Peer Support Coalition of Florida, Inc. (PSCFL) offers virtual and in-person Emotional CPR (eCPR ) training to bring the focus to heart-centered crisis support infused with the values of a healthy community. PSCFL is a statewide peer network dedicated to advancing peer support in Florida. PSCFL promotes leadership and advocacy through education, support, and networking.

What is eCPR?

Emotional CPR (eCPR) is a public health education program designed to teach people to assist others through an emotional crisis through three simple steps. The C stands for connecting, the P stands for empowering, and the R stands for revitalizing. While one may associate traditional CPR with revitalizing a person’s physical heart, eCPR is intended to revitalize one’s, emotional heart. eCPR includes evidence-based principles to support recovery in the community: peer support, coping skills training, and psychoeducation.

eCPR is based on the principles shared by multiple support approaches trauma-informed care, counseling after disasters, peer support to avoid continuing emotional despair, emotional intelligence, suicide prevention, and cultural attunement. It was developed with input from a diverse cadre of recognized leaders from across the U.S. who have learned how to recover and grow from emotional crises (“Emotional CPR,”2022). The developers of eCPR have learned to view an emotional crisis as an opportunity for personal growth. That is, we see how, in retrospect, a crisis can provide a valuable opportunity to re-evaluate our thinking or our way of being in the world and to realign our lives to be more in sync with our deepest values and principles. This approach to assisting someone in an emotional crisis is grounded in the recognition that natural supports play a central role. Natural supports include family, significant others, and all aspects and entities that make up the person’s community—either existing or newly-created.

The practice of eCPR focuses on encouraging individuals to express their feelings and share their lived experiences and perspectives to learn from one another, which may impact perceived and real stigma. Using an eCPR approach promotes the integration of diverse groups regardless of race, age, roles, and lived experiences. Diversity among group members allows one to learn from another’s experiences and perspectives.

What Happens at an eCPR Training? 

Emotional CPR is facilitated by at least 2 certified Educators. Participants are introduced to the eCPR practices and the components of the model as a group. They are allowed to observe eCPR in practice, demonstrated by the facilitators. Participants are then engaged in practicing the eCPR crisis response in small groups using one-on-one “real plays”. A “real-play” is a role play that uses the participant’s real-life experiences in the demonstration to allow for authentic sharing and receiving of support. eCPR is a hands-on experiential training unlike any other.

What are the options for training?

Training in eCPR comes in a variety of formats to best fit the needs of an organization or community.

Virtual 12-hour eCPR training
Trains people in skills for practicing eCPR in the community. (i.e. helping a person in an emotional crisis). Training is usually comprised of 2-3 Trainers/Facilitators with 12-14 participants.

Virtual Youth 12-hour eCPR training
Training for youth for practicing eCPR in the community. (i.e. helping a person in an emotional crisis). Training is usually comprised of 2-3 Trainers/Facilitators with 12-14 participants.

Introductory Talk (approximately 2 hours)
Gives an orientation to eCPR and allows time to dialogue and respond to questions as well as to discuss the next steps if an organization would like further training.

eCPR workshop (half day to full day)
Gives an in-depth overview of eCPR with ample time for audience participation, questions, and/ or practice scenarios. Workshops are typically presented at local, state, or national conferences or meetings, and therefore are free to those attending the conference.

In-Person 2-Day eCPR Practitioner certification
A 14-hour training, typically conducted over two consecutive days, teaches people to be proficient in practicing eCPR. Training consists of up to 20 participants and 2 trainers (1 trainer for every 10 participants).

What are eCPR Practitioners Saying?

The National Empowerment Center found evidence indicating that those who participated in eCPR training found it to be a “valuable resource for learning new skills when engaging with an individual who may be in distress or experiencing a mental health crisis” (Myers et al., 2022).

These skills involve active listening, integrating shared experiences into practice, the ability to connect with others on an emotional level even on a web-based platform, and how to emotionally console someone in their time of need. Below are feedback responses regarding the PSCFL eCPR training:

“This training exceeded my expectations. I am so grateful that I took this. I wanted to have the skills for my professional life, but I found that I gained some healing and revitalization, as well as some insight into myself. I was able to gain the skills and even found confidence that I can and did do this. I wish every professional helper had to take this training and I can't imagine more empathetic, kind, and caring facilitators. Thank you!”

“Great learning experience. I could relate to nearly everything that was shared. I am glad I decided to take the training.”

“This is by far the best training I have participated in. The content was great!”

How Can I Find Out More?

For more information, to register for certification training in eCPR, or if you would like to become a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) and help spread the word about our exciting programs, send us an email via our Contact Form or call 407-340-6332.

Sources:

Emotional CPR (ECPR). Emotional CPR | Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.emotional-cpr.org/.

Myers A, Collins-Pisano C, Ferron J, Fortuna K.

Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Peer-Developed and Virtually Delivered Community Mental Health Training Program (Emotional CPR): Pre-Post Study

J Particip Med 2021;13(1): e25867

URL: https://jopm.jmir.org/2021/1/e25867

DOI: 10.2196/25867

Myers AL, Mbao M, Kadakia A, Collings S, Fortuna KL. Experiences of Community Members Engaged in eCPR (Emotional Connecting, Empowering, Revitalizing) Training: Qualitative Focus Group Study, JMIR Form Res 2022;6(6):e32219
doi: 10.2196/32219PMID: 35771610PMCID: 9284356

Panchal N, Kamal R, Cox C, Garfield R. The implications of COVID-19 for mental health and substance use. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2021 Feb 10.   URL: https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/ [accessed 2022-22-11].