Working with the Community
Depression
Everyone feels sad from time to time, but for people with depression, these feelings of lowered mood can be experienced intensely and last for long periods of time – often without reason. Depression is the most common mental illness in children and youth and the number of cases being diagnosed are increasing. It can affect normal day-to-day functioning; causing them to withdraw from activities they previously enjoyed and increases the risk of a number of other negative outcomes including substance abuse and suicide. Equip your staff and volunteers to recognise and appropriately assist those struggling with depression by providing this training workshop.
Key Competencies Gained by participants:
- Awareness and understanding of depression
- Ability to identify signs and symptoms of depression and respond appropriately to individuals and families impacted by it
- Strategies to reduce the impact of depression on your organisation’s staff, volunteers, and/or other individuals your organisation assists
- Awareness of referral resources for providing individuals suffering depression with ongoing support specific to their situation
Grief and Loss
Grief is the natural response to loss as people try to come to terms with significant change. Grief can be an isolating experience as every person grieves in a different way, often experiencing a wide variety of emotions over time. When grieving individuals are able to share how they are feeling with a supportive listener, it can greatly reduce the sense of isolation and loneliness that often comes with grief. Equip your staff and volunteers to effectively respond to people experiencing grief and loss by providing this practical workshop.
Key Competencies Gained by participants:
- Understanding of grief and bereavement, including basic understanding of complex and prolonged grief
- Awareness of common grief reactions and possible behaviors of grieving individuals; knowing when to be concerned
- Confidence in recognising the needs of grieving individuals
- Identify and implement effective strategies to support grieving individuals
- Receive resources that can assist those who are experiencing strong emotions when grieving
- Understanding of when to refer to specialist services for ongoing support
Family Violence
Family violence has devastating effects on both the adults and children involved. Enable your staff and volunteers to provide appropriate support whilst ensuring their own personal safety by providing this training for your organisation.
Key Competencies Gained by participants:
- Skills and confidence to identify and support individuals and families impacted by violence
- Understanding of different types of family violence, the cycle of violence, and how it affects all involved
- Practical strategies to appropriately respond to those affected by family violence.
- Referral resources for assisting people experiencing family violence
Trauma
Trauma is the mind's emotional response to any terrible, unexpected event that shatters a person’s sense of security. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are common, but longer-term effects can include fear, anxiety, dread, numbness, flashbacks and recurring nightmares, as well as physical symptoms of severe stress. While these effects are a normal response to the shock and grief of trauma, they can be extremely distressing and cause some people to find it very difficult to return to normal life after the traumatic event they have experienced. Enable your staff and volunteers to respond with compassion to people who have experienced trauma by providing this training at your organisation.
Key Competencies Gained by Participants:
- Skills and confidence to support individuals and families who have experienced a traumatic event
- Understanding of Trauma, and ability to identify symptoms of trauma
- Understanding of post-traumatic stress and the difficulties with moving on
- Practical strategies to appropriately respond to traumatised individuals
- Knowledge of where and when to refer people for further treatment and support