Course Overview
Research indicates that employees experiencing a mental health challenge are much more likely to seek support from a trusted work colleague than formal support services. Therefore, employees can find themselves in the role as what is termed the ‘accidental counsellor’ despite never receiving any formal training.
This workshop is designed to equip employees with the skills they need to have a safe and effective conversation with someone who is experiencing a high level of distress or in crisis. Participants will learn a research-based framework for supporting employees and encouraging them to connect to professional support.
What this workshop covers
Participants will learn how to:
- Understand the prevalence of mental health concerns in Australia.
- Recognise the role of an accidental counsellor in crisis management and support.
- Identify personal limitations and establish boundaries.
- Understand the Accidental Counsellor Framework for having effective conversations with someone in distress including the 4 R’s Model (Recognise, Respond, Refer, Reconnect).
- Gain insight into effective de-escalation and calming techniques.
- Develop cornerstone conversation skills including reflective, empathic, and active listening skills, as well as questioning techniques.
- Understand the importance of conversation containment and how to manage disclosures or over-disclosure.
- Use relevant case studies and practice scenarios to apply learnings. (30 min)
- Understand what support and resources are available (EAP Escalation Framework).
- Learn self-care techniques.
Duration:
4 hours (2 x 2 hours)
Choose a course length that best suits your needs. Workshop inclusions may vary based on duration.
