Optional Pre-training Reflection “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” “The more I live, the more I The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.” “You'll know everything about anything, especially something you love.” is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent.” “Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.” , “I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led.” trial
Domains of recovery-oriented practice and service delivery In 2013 Health Ministers from all states and territories in Australia endorsed ‘A national framework for recovery-oriented mental health services for practitioners and providers’, which lists five key domains of recovery-oriented practice, underpinned by 17 capabilities. Capabilities for recovery-oriented practice and service delivery encompass underlying core principles, values, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, skills and abilities. Individuals, teams and organisations need these capabilities in order to support people with mental health issues to live a meaningful and contributing life in their community of choice (Commonwealth of Australia, 2013, p. 4). Domains Domain 1: Promoting a culture and language of hope and optimism (overarching domain) The culture and language of a recovery-oriented mental health service communicates positive expectations, promotes hope and optimism and results in a person feeling valued, important, welcome and safe. Domain 2: Person and holistic Domain 3: Supporting personal recovery Domain 4: Organisational commitment and workforce development Domain 5: Action on social inclusion and the social determinants of health, mental health and wellbeing Capabilities Holistic and person-centred service Promoting autonomy and Recovery vision, commitment and culture Supporting social inclusion and advocacy on social determinants Responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Focusing on strengths and personal responsibility Acknowledging, valuing and learning from experience Challenging stigmatising attitudes and discrimination Responsive to people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds Collaborative relationships and reflective practice Recovery-promoting service partnerships Partnerships with communities Responsive to gender, age, culture, spirituality and other diversity Workforce development and planning Responsive to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people Responsive to families, carers and support people
Social justice Strength: Challenge: Rights-based practice Strength: Challenge: Social inclusion Strength: Challenge: Access and equity Strength: Challenge: Strength: Challenge: Recovery Strength: Challenge: Philosophy, principles and values of peer work and peer support Below are some of the principles underlying peer support, from three different regions. US (US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), http://na4ps.files. UK (‘Lived experience: leading the way’, Australia (Pound, Judd & Gough, 2011, Peer support for women living with mental health issues: the views of ACT women’, p. 21) Peer support is voluntary (people choose to come; they aren’t forced to get involved) Peer supporters are hopeful Peer supporters are Mutuality Solidarity Synergy Sharing with safety and trust Companionship Hopefulness Empathy, understanding, non-judgement and respect Shared responsibility and mutual agreement on what is helpful
Peer supporters are empathic Peer supporters are respectful Peer supporters facilitate change Peer supporters are honest and direct Peer support is mutual and reciprocal Peer support involves equally shared power Peer support is Peer support is transparent Peer support is Focus on strengths and potential Equality and empowerment Being yourself Independence Reduction of stigma Respect and inclusivity Story-telling using practical experience and a narrative framework Trust, connection and friendship with others Promotion of recovery, spirituality, hope and healing journeys Empowerment for individuals to change The transformative of crisis Nurturing personal strengths Choice and person centeredness Peer-driven, and reciprocal support Non-medical and voluntary framework In groups, consider the three lists of principles and then develop a list of your own. Does your workplace have a list of principles to guide your work? What peers can offer In the SAMHSA webinar ‘Peer practice and context: developing quality standards’, Steven Fry (2013) suggests that peers can offer the following six key things. Hope – that recovery is possible (evidence: they are living proof) Understanding – shared lived experience Connection – to people, systems, community Role model – to overcome prejudice and discrimination Experience – practical application of skills Knowledge – of people and systems. Key roles for peers Steven Fry also states that peers perform the following five key roles. Assist individual with recovery assessment and planning, including identifying strengths and
Non maleficence: do not harm This principle means that workers should avoid doing harm to other people and should prevent harm if they can. It is often expressed as ‘above else do no harm’. Beneficence: do good This principle means that we should do our best to protect the welfare of others. We should act in the best interests of other people. We should be proactive in trying to do good. Fidelity: be trustworthy This principle refers to being faithful, loyal, dependable, reliable and honest. It means keeping our word and honouring promises and commitments. It requires integrity. It often means following through and doing what we say we will so that the person knows they can trust and feel safe with us. Justice: be fair This principle involves treating people equally and fairly by upholding their rights. It does not always mean treating everyone the same, and may require some flexibility, especially for members of minority groups and people who are disadvantaged in some way. It can require courage to support people to have their rights upheld and speak up for what is right, even to those in power.
‘Attending’ skills ‘Attending’ means giving your whole attention to another person. It is a form of non-verbal communication or body language that shows that you are paying careful attention to the person who is talking. Face your body Squarely towards the person, showing availability and interest in what is being said. Adopt an Open posture towards the them, demonstrating a attitude to what they are saying. Lean slightly towards them, naturally in the flow of the conversation. Maintain appropriate Eye contact, showing interest while also demonstrating cultural sensitivity. Remain relatively Relaxed, showing confidence as well as helping the speaker to relax. Activity In pairs, take it in turns to tell a story about something that you were really happy about with the other person listens while doing the opposite actions to ‘SOLER’ e.g.. Turn your back while your friend is talking. Lean in very close, or move away. Refuse to make eye contact, or continue staring even when your friend tries to look away. Fiddle with your hair, tap your foot or click a pen. Was your friend able to continue their conversation with you?