The provided text is an informational passage that highlights the importance of mental health and trauma training for staff and volunteers working in non-profit organizations and community groups. It explains that recent natural disasters and ongoing financial pressures have led to increased workload and potential trauma for these individuals, addressing the need for support and coping mechanisms.The provided text is an informational passage that highlights the importance of mental health and trauma training for staff and volunteers working in non-profit organizations and community groups. It explains that recent natural disasters and ongoing financial pressures have led to increased workload and potential trauma for these individuals, addressing the need for support and coping mechanisms. Key Points: * Non-profit organizations often serve as “accidental responders” during crises, providing support to impacted communities. * Research indicates that individuals in these roles may experience trauma and burnout. * Access to training and support is limited, especially for organizations in regional areas. * The Benefolk Foundation offers free mental health and trauma training to support these individuals. * The training covers strategies for preventing and overcoming PTSD, burnout, and trauma in clients. * A full-day training event is scheduled for August 2nd, 2024, with additional online and self-study options available. * Participation is free for those employed or volunteering at non-profit organizations and similar entities. * Julia Keady, CEO of the Benefolk Foundation, emphasizes the tailored nature of the training for individuals who have dedicated themselves to helping their communities recover from crises. * Positive feedback from previous training attendees highlights its effectiveness in increasing confidence and creating a safe working environment. * Organizations can refer to The Community Well for additional resources focused on non-profit well-being. * Psychologist Adam Blanch stresses the importance of psychological safety plans for organizations dealing with traumatized individuals. * The text concludes with comments from attendees of a recent training session, praising its impact and relevance to their work.
Recent natural disasters and the continued pressure of high living costs mean that many staff and volunteers from local non-profit organisations (NFPs) and community groups have increasingly become ‘accidental responders’.
Research shows that people in similar positions experience trauma and burnout. Yet most community-led organisations, particularly those in regional areas, cannot easily access training to support their people in dealing with or preventing this ‘helper trauma’.
That’s why the Benefolk Foundation, with support from the Australian and New South Wales governments, is offering free mental health and trauma training.
Volunteers and staff learn strategies to prevent and overcome indirect trauma (PTSD at work) and burnout. They also learn how to facilitate brief conversation interventions to prevent and resolve trauma in their clients.
A full day training will be held on Friday 2nd August 2024, from 8:45am to 4:30pm AEST at Highlands Hub: 167 Grey St, Glen Innes
After the event, online and self-study sessions will also be available for those who register, so anyone can complete the training at their own pace at local non-profits.
Persons employed or volunteering at non-profit organizations, community organizations, charities, board committees, associations, etc. may participate free of charge.
Julia Keady, CEO and founder of the Benefolk Foundation, who has seen the Northern Rivers floods first-hand, says this training is specifically tailored to the people who have worked so hard to help their communities get back on their feet.
“Last year we ran a similar programme for 130 organisations in the Northern Rivers following their tragic floods. Feedback was that the training increased people’s confidence to continue their vital work, whilst creating a safe and sustainable working environment. In fact, at the start of the day, less than 40% felt confident in responding to trauma in others. This had changed to 94% feeling somewhat or very confident following the training.
“A similar shift has occurred around maintaining their own psychological safety, so we encourage all local NFP leaders to make time to direct their team, especially given the obligations around psychosocial legislation changing in 2023. This means it is vital for all NFPs and charities to be at the forefront of staff and volunteer wellbeing in their organisations,” Ms Keady said.
Organizations can also turn to The Community Well, which offers over 100 free resources tailored specifically to nonprofits, all aimed at improving well-being.
Adam Blanch, the psychologist who delivers the training, says any organization whose staff work with traumatized people should have a psychological safety plan that includes prevention, mitigation and recovery.
“Victory trauma – or what I call ‘helper trauma’ – affects not only aid workers, but anyone who works with traumatised people, such as those supporting communities affected by flooding.
“A critical first step is to create a trauma-informed work culture and train staff in preventative measures. This course will provide the knowledge and skills to achieve this goal,” Mr. Blanch explained.
Organisations can book tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/gleninnes-nsw-resilient-responders-and-empowering-conversations-one-day-training and find more information about the full programme at www.benefolk.org/central-west-special-project
Some comments from people who attended a recent session
- “Fantastic training. Innovative. And a lens that was missing in our sector.”
- “I have done several training courses in trauma and first responder support but this was by far the best. It should be mandatory for all workplaces, NFPs, sports groups, volunteer organisations, frontline work. Adam is just amazing. I just wish we could clone him so this message could go out to the world.”
- “I am excited to use the tools provided. Thank you for the functional theory of psychological trauma framework. Thank you for the excellent presentation. It was the best training on trauma I have ever taken.”
- “Absolutely essential training. Events like this are of the utmost importance to our industry.”
- “I think all healthcare providers and service sectors should take this training.”
- “This training has helped me understand where my clients’ behavior comes from and how I can move forward with it.”
- “I have a much clearer understanding of the impact of trauma, how I as an employee can respond to my colleagues and to myself.”
- “I enjoyed every moment of it. The session was well put together and very interactive and engaging.”
Read the whole story to the end? So did many others. Advertise with New England Times to reach New Englanders who are interested and engaged. Learn more here.
