Your how-to: Developing structured training for mental wellbeing peer supporters within your organisation
Developing structured training for mental wellbeing peer supporters within your organisation' refers to the creation of a formalised program that provides appropriate skills and knowledge to a selected group of employees, enabling them to support their colleagues in matters of mental health. These 'peer supporters' become the go-to points of contact within their teams or departments, capable of providing initial support, resources, and referral information to colleagues who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
Key components of this structured training include understanding mental health concepts, learning how to provide active listening and emotional support, recognising signs of distress, and being knowledgeable about relevant workplace policies and procedures, as well as local mental health services.
In the Australian context, developing such training should consider compliance with the National Mental Health Commission's guidelines and standards, as well as provisions within the Fair Work Act 2009 pertaining to mental health in the workplace. It may also be beneficial to take into account Australia's specific mental health landscape, such as prevalent conditions and services available, to make the training particularly relevant and effective.
Step by step instructions
Establishing a Framework: Firstly, it's essential to establish a robust framework for the training. This will involve defining your goals, the role of the peer supporters, and the targeted outcomes for employees. This step should be directly aligned with the National Mental Health Commission's guidelines and standards.
Developing the Training Program: Develop a comprehensive training program that covers key areas such as understanding mental health concepts, providing active listening and emotional support, recognising signs of distress, and being knowledgeable about relevant workplace policies and procedures.
Deciding on Learning Methods: Decide on the most effective ways to deliver the training. Interactive methods such as role plays, discussions, friendly quizzes, and case studies can make the sessions more engaging and impactful.
Implementing the Training: Conduct the training sessions ensuring each peer supporter can attend. Normalise asking questions, sharing personal experiences, and encourage active participation to foster a more effective learning environment.
Selecting Peer Supporters: Select individuals from varying departments and hierarchy levels to serve as peer supporters. Encourage volunteers but ensure they have the personal qualities necessary for the role, such as empathy, confidentiality, non-judgemental attitude, and excellent communication skills.
Incorporating Australian Mental Health Context: Where relevant, incorporate aspects of Australia's specific mental health landscape. Address prevalent conditions and available services in your training to make it particularly pertinent and effective.
Drafting and Reviewing Training Materials: Once the framework and delivery method are established, it's time to craft the training materials. These should be user-friendly, engaging, and comprehensive. Have these materials reviewed by a mental health professional for validity and appropriateness before rolling them out.
Providing Ongoing Support and Supervision: Post-training, continue to support your peer supporters with regular check-ins, refresher courses, and opportunities for supervised practice.
Use this template to implement
To ensure you can execute seamlessly, download the implementation template.
Pitfalls to avoid
One of the main failures can occur if there's a lack of in-depth training. As a peer supporter, a deep understanding of mental health and effective strategies is key. Ensure that you invest time and resources into comprehensive training programs that cover a range of mental wellbeing topics.
Delving into other's mental health issues can be draining. Make certain to provide an extensive support system for your peer supporters themselves, including regular supervision and the ability to access professional help when necessary.
Australia, being culturally diverse, necessitates acknowledging different cultural understandings of mental wellbeing. Failure to provide culturally sensitive training can lead to inequity in service.
In Australia, organisations engaging in mental health initiatives must adhere to the Privacy Act 1988 and the Health Records Act 2001 that safeguard personal data. Ignoring these acts could lead to legal consequences. Be sure to acquaint your team with these laws to ensure compliance.
Without clear role definitions, peer supporters may feel uncertain about their tasks or overstep professional boundaries. Clearly outline the responsibilities and limitations of a peer supporter within your program.
Assuming that once peer supporters are trained, they're fully equipped for their role indefinitely is a mistake. There should be mechanisms in place for regular, ongoing professional development.