Lifeline’s Skills-for-Life Training Portfolio

The Magazine Lifeline’s skills-for-life training is an integrated portfolio oriented on crisis support and saving lives.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and of the many different nations across Australia. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging, as the holders of the memories, the traditions, the culture and the spiritual wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the nation.

We also acknowledge and pay respect to all those with a lived or living experience of suicide, mental health and its consequences.

Awareness of mental health issues, recognising signs of distress, and understanding the indicators of domestic and family violence are not just professional skills. They are life skills that can make a profound difference in the moments that matter most.

Lifeline’s community training for those in front-facing roles specialises in equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to approach these sensitive topics with confidence and compassion.

Our workshops offer a safe space for learning and growth, ensuring that participants are prepared to support clients, each other—and themselves—through life's toughest challenges.

Katie Allen is our ‘poster girl’ to promote Lifeline’s range of workshops for good reason: she has worked in our marketing team; she is now a member of our Training Support Team; AND she delivers some of our workshops. Oh, and she has been a Lifeliner for 10 years.

With her sparkle, her commitment, her wide skill set, Katie is the quintessence of our Training Operation wearing her bubbly persona in every photo.

We know that for those of us in caregiving or frontline roles – professionally, as volunteers or personally – help-seekers arrive, through the office front door or by phone or at a gathering. Most often, this is entirely expected, a workfocused engagement for which the help provider is employed. But what if we are approached out of the blue, out of context or if someone asks for emotional help outside the areas of our expertise?

skills-for-life training

a range of crisis support and suicide prevention skills for when tough stuff happens Through Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis line network, 3,500 Crisis Supporters answer over a million calls a year and make over 55,000 safety plans, that is, 55,000 callers are kept safe from suicide each year because we know how to listen and how to respond when tough stuff happens.

We also know that people working with people want to be the best helpers possible. They want extra skills in their toolbox to know how to recognise, respond and refer for Following my 15 years of training volunteers for when clients, friends, family our crisis service, the next horizon for me was to members, neighbours or colleagues assemble shortened versions of that same reach out for emotional support.

training to skill up our frontline, those at the pointy end of human service delivery. Add on a further 10 years heading the community training enterprise for Lifeline Direct, mix in a high functioning support team, bring in a lineup of stellar trainers and - voilà - the result is here in The Magazine, evidence of the work that we do.

June

Dr Marilyn June Anderson Skills-for-Life Training Manager Lifeline Direct Ltd based in Newcastle NSW UNSW Australian Mental Health Prize Community Hero 2024

We bring you a range of short workshops to add one by one to your helping toolbox. Most of our workshop participants come from frontline organisations - but not all.

The power skills Lifeline provides are universal for anyone who wants to be ready, willing and able to help when tough stuff happens.

In person or online delivery?

Whether online training is better than face-toface training remains a contentious issue. Faceto-face training has advantages: Social interaction during training sessions Fewer chances for multitasking, decreased focus and divided attention In-person, physical presence enhances the quality of communication, 3D not 2D. Delivering in the virtual space has other advantages: portability, can be achieved at work or at home; collapses geography, especially helpful for members of remote teams to join without having to travel; no requirement for venue or catering; increasingly familiar mode of learning; and can feel visually personal.

Review our skills-for-life workshops for individual place bookings, both in-person and online, at https://lifelinedirect.org.au/hunter/training Contact a member of the Training Support Team to find out more: lldtraining@lifeline.org.au

Facilitator, moderator and content fantastic. Not used to such professional training. Have never used Lifeline services but will keep you in mind.

The Training Support Team coordinates the delivery of over 300 events a year to 5,000 participants across Lifeline Direct’s seven regions.

Purpose of Lifeline’s skills-for-life training Skills-for-life training delivers workshops to adults in frontline work or community services that increase caregivers’ ability to recognise, respond and refer someone in crisis or with suicidal thoughts. A calendar of purpose-aligned short courses in specific geographies and online build community engagement with revenuegenerating capacity to support Lifeline’s life-saving services.

Workshops featured in The Magazine are available to include in a workplace professional development package. Contact a member of the Training Support Team to find out more: lldtraining@lifeline.org.au

I would like to thank you for all the fantastic work that Lifeline does in supporting people in distress. You are the frontline workers that deal with the most difficult and complex issues every day and assist so many people in so many ways. I am a psychologist and I think of this type of training like my revalidation of my skills. I think of it like CPR training, like my refresher course to keep my skills current in this area, and to remind myself of the importance of looking out for people in our communities, but also, the importance of keeping ourselves healthy and safe.

Blended Accidental Counsellor Online participant April 2024

I took a lot away from this workshop. I felt like [the trainer] was speaking directly to me the whole time. It didn't just feel like "another workshop", it was very engaging.

Lifeline specialises in equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to approach these sensitive topics with confidence and compassion. Our workshops offer a safe space for learning and growth, ensuring that members of your team are prepared to support clients, each other—and themselves—through life's toughest challenges.

dedicated workplace training

Lifeline’s skills-for-life dedicated workplace workshops nurture an organisation’s culture of continuous learning with short, relatively inexpensive training for teams at work.

Power skills - previously called soft skills - are the foundation of effective interpersonal relationships, teamwork, and professional success in virtually every field. Workplaces investing in their most valuable asset - their employees - not only foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement but also position the organisation as a leader in employee development and care quality.

Our workplace clients return to us again and again, to welcome new teams of volunteers (Warrior Woman Foundation), to maintain currency in mental health matters (Cessnock City Council), to bring a leadership team together (Mai-Wel), to provide transition self-care (University of Newcastle), to sustain ongoing PD for critical issue teams (ING Bank) and to contribute to annual conferences (Guide Dogs).

Katie says: “It can be tempting in a cost-saving mission to swipe professional development off a budget line but what you might be doing is swiping those valuable employees out of the door.”

Our range of workshops are available to include in a workplace professional development package.

Our dedicated workplace clients receive a feedback report shortly after delivery Every dedicated client workshop is different . . . different choice from our portfolio to suit a skills gap or specific need, different group dynamic impacting results, and therefore different outcomes. Our client service feedback report captures the elements of skills improvement across nine measures.

The most enjoyable part of this training was interaction with other employees in my team Participant feedback, dedicated workplace workshop, Accidental Counsellor Foundations

Most people aren't great listeners.

Instead of really paying attention when others talk, they're often more focused on what they want to say next. In a world where most conversations are surface level, truly listening is a superpower that helps us connect with people on a deeper level. Listening well means genuinely trying to understand what someone else is saying, not just the words, but also the feelings and meanings behind them.

accidental counsellor foundations

Ever had to step into the shoes of the accidental counsellor?

Good listening and appropriate responding are more difficult and demanding than they appear.

When other people express negative feelings or are upset, we tend to search immediately for our own solutions to their problems, or we try to reduce or deny the intensity of the feelings expressed.

It takes genuine respect, and a belief in each person’s inner resources, individuality, separateness and personal worth to refrain from trying to rescue or blame, and to create an environment that enables them to explore their own solutions.

This comprehensive and empowering workshop is designed to equip individuals with essential skills to provide effective emotional support to others in times of crisis. This training goes beyond traditional counselling approaches, catering to those who may find themselves inadvertently in a supportive role.

Participants gain a deep understanding of active listening, empathy, and communication techniques that are crucial when helping others navigate challenging situations. Lifeline's expertise in crisis intervention is evident in the workshop's emphasis on practical strategies for managing distress and fostering resilience.

As someone who has personally struggled to deal with people approaching me for help I feel like I have so many more tools in my toolbox to help people who approach me now, whether that be friends, family or work colleagues.

By the end of this workshop, participants emerge with a heightened sense of confidence and competence in providing compassionate assistance to those in need, making a positive impact in their communities and workplaces.

Corrina liked her job at her organisation’s help desk, and she knew she was good at it. Still, she had been there for five years now, and wanted to improve her chances for a promotion. Not that her manager didn't recognise her value or encourage her to undertake professional development courses, but the type of PD attached to her job was more like Advanced Excel skills or learning a new software system, helpful but yawnsville.

Her friend Pieta who worked in HR received much more encouragement within her company to undertake a wider range of PD opportunities. Pieta was forever raving about the Lifeline workshops she had been attending. The one that sparked Corrina's interest was the Accidental Counsellor Foundations workshop that taught active listening skills. She thought of asking her manager if she could use her next PD day to go as well, but she wasn't holding her breath.

Corrina's organisation had been slow to recognise the importance of people skills and she knew that improving her own would definitely be an advantage for her work. So she asked her manager who amazingly did not hesitate to sign her off to attend the next Accidental Counsellor Foundations workshop and she too came away just like Pieta, exuberant about what she had learned.

For instance, all about the Victim Triangle, how not to be a rescuer, how to set professional boundaries, how to recognise when somebody really needed help and what to do about it if they did were all so useful, not just for work. The trainer was so skilled, so friendly, and the participants she met, well, WOW! Her appetite had been whetted and she was now scoping the Lifeline website for what she could do next, even it meant taking leave to go. For some reason, this was becoming more important for her than she had originally expected.

So amazingly helpful. Will be putting these techniques into practice both personally and professionally. Thank you for the time, effort, resources and passion you all put into this. You make the world a better place!

The Accidental Counsellor or helper role is emotional first aid, not long-term support unless this is part of an existing relationship with the person. People in emotional distress usually want someone to ‘just’ listen to them.

They don’t want advice, and it really helps to have someone give them space to explore their own thoughts and feelings. Just sitting with someone with negative feelings can lower distress.

People are the experts in their own life. They have the ability to find the best way forward, but the immediate crisis may be clouding their usual coping techniques. As non-judgmental, respectful listeners, we can become sounding boards for people in distress that may enable them to reconnect with their coping skills or to be linked to additional help.

blended accidental counsellor

Safely and effectively support someone who might be in crisis Research tells us that we are more likely to seek support from a work colleague or a friend than from a manager or formal support pathways.

So, it is important that we have basic skills and awareness to help assist others in any walk of life along with a repertoire of valuable conversation enablers should such a situation arise.

A 60-minute eLearning module precedes the workshop component that provides basic skills to provide immediate support and assistance using the ‘Recognise, Respond, Refer’ model. Included are fundamental skills on how to ask openly about suicide risk and respond safely whatever the answer.

Communication skills are needed to be an effective helper. They allow a different response to distress and provide tools for connecting with others.

Active listening is an important part of effective communication. By showing that you are making a conscious effort to understand what the other person is saying demonstrates that your goal is to help them.

Reflection of feelings is a powerful aspect of active listening. By observing and then reflecting non-judgmentally on the feelings the other person is expressing enables a deeper connection.

Open questions encourage the person to elaborate, disclose and explore their current situation. This ability steers away from problem solving and keeps the conversation about the help seeker and not the help giver.

Sometimes closed questions are necessary, especially when checking on safety, and can provide the helper with clear, direct information.

I was definitely that person who would just offer a solution as I thought that was being helpful. But it turns out just listening is so valuable, and then also learning how to listen and then what to do with what that person has told me.

This workshop is especially suited to online delivery for members of teams in diverse locations and for organisations with a working from home workforce.

Lifeline’s skills-for-life training is an integrated portfolio: being skilled to acutely and astutely listen to someone enables a frontline worker or caregiver to better recognise domestic and family violence, a mental health problem, risk of suicide, all the while being mindful of self-care.

Meet Kristina Lawrence, member of our Training Support Team, moderator for our virtual deliveries, skills-for-life trainer, and facilitator of the steady stream of community training enquiries we receive.

I enjoyed all of it. The varied learning styles and resources used made the training so interactive and engaging and our trainer was so knowledgeable.

The 2-day Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) workshop equips participants with valuable skills and knowledge to provide initial support for those experiencing mental health challenges. Over the two days, workshop group members learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, gain insights into effective communication strategies, and understand how to connect individuals with appropriate professional help.

mental health first aid Having a conversation may save a life. Would you know what to do?

The in-person workshop is also delivered virtually in three parts.

Designed for increased flexibility, a Blended Mental Health First Aid Course is a combination of online (self-paced eLearning, about 6 hours) and two 2.5-hour follow-on online training, delivered on consecutive mornings. Lifeline provides participants with access to their eLearning component so that they can begin their preparation that precedes their online workshop participation.

Key Workshop Topics: 1.Recognising the signs of common mental health disorders 2.Offering initial help and providing support to someone in a crisis 3.Promoting mental health literacy and reducing stigma.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is suitable for anyone interested in promoting mental health and well-being, including: Employers and employees Teachers and school staff Health care professionals First responders Community leaders Family members and friends Completers earn a Mental Health First Aider Certificate of Accreditation valid for 3 years, so becoming eligible for appointment as Mental Health First Aid Officers.

Thank you - sincerely, [our trainer] made what is very heavy content, real, relatable and [she was] so respectful of the human experience.

Blue Writing

Mental health awareness is becoming increasingly critical, especially for those working or living with someone who may be experiencing mental health challenges.

Mike, Corrina’s manager, had recruited a second person to work with her on the help desk because the organisation’s profile and level of community engagement had increased. He appointed her as supervisor, gave her a raise and complimented her on the noticeable improvement of her ‘soft skills’ – he even used that term although she preferred the term ‘power skills’.

Unbelievable!

But wait, there was more. He asked her to do more Lifeline training. Now that her new colleague, Becky, was able to cover for her, she was able to attend more workshops. Corrina suspected that many of the clients who came to the help desk had mental health problems, not that she could or would do anything about that, but it did occur to her that developing a certain mental health literacy would be an advantage.

Her next choice was the 2-day Mental Health First Aid workshop.A bonus was that she didn’t need to do any preparation but to just turn up.

And so she did, along with nine other participants. She was blown away by all the knowledge in the room, mostly the trainer himself but also from those in all types of job roles. As the program unfolded, she learned that one in five Australians suffer from some form of mental illness every year, equating to 3.2 million adults in Australia.

The sound bite that made her really sit up and pay attention was that so many with mental health problems go undiagnosed and that only about a third receive professional help.

Suddenly, she realised that her mother was one of them. All those mood swings! A light bulb came on.

I loved this training. It was informative and very relevant. I have done Mental Health First Aid before and this was by far the best course I have attended.

LivingWorks safeTALK is a training program designed to teach individuals how to recognise then effectively communicate with someone who may be thinking about suicide. The advantages of attending a safeTALK presentation include:

5. Empowerment: Participants leave the training feeling more competent and confident in their ability to help prevent suicide. It demystifies the topic of suicide, making it more approachable for discussion and intervention.

1. Increased Awareness: Participants learn to recognise individuals who might have thoughts of suicide, understanding that thoughts of suicide are more common than most people realise.

6. Community Impact: safeTALK-trained individuals can significantly impact their communities by fostering a more open, supportive environment where people are encouraged to speak up if they're struggling.

2. Communication Skills: The program teaches practical skills to engage in a direct and open conversation about suicide which can be challenging for many people. This short workshop provides a clear framework for how to talk about suicide safely.

7. Accessibility: The program is designed for anyone over the age of 15, making it accessible to a wide range of participants, from educators and healthcare professionals to community members and corporate employees.

3. Connecting with Help: safeTALK emphasises the importance of connecting individuals with thoughts of suicide to professional help and resources. Participants learn how to act as a bridge to professional help, rather than taking on the role of a counsellor or therapist.

8. Evidence-Based: LivingWorks programs are developed based on evidence and research in the field of suicide prevention, ensuring that participants receive accurate and effective training.

4. Prevention and Safety Planning: By promoting awareness and proactive communication, safeTALK contributes to creating safer communities where people with thoughts of suicide are less likely to go unnoticed.

9. Support Network: Participants often find themselves part of a community of individuals committed to suicide prevention, providing opportunities for networking and support.

10. Professional Development: For professionals in many fields, safeTALK training is recognised as valuable professional development, enhancing their ability to support clients, students, or colleagues.

I enjoyed this educational seminar and I believe it should be made mandatory for all disability sectors. I think it should be done yearly just like first aid training.

LivingWorks safeTALK equips individuals with the tools to make a real difference in the lives of those thinking about suicide, contributing to a broader effort to reduce suicide rates through education and proactive intervention.

Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. safeTALK-trained helpers can recognise these invitations and take action by connecting them with lifesaving intervention resources, such as caregivers trained in ASIST.​ By the end of the workshop, participants have had a chance to practice these skills firsthand. You can expect to leave safeTALK with practical knowledge of how to identify someone at risk and link them to life-saving resources.

Becoming ready, willing and able to talk about suicide Since its development in 2006, safeTALK has been delivered in over 20 countries around the world. This half-day alertness workshop prepares anyone over the age of 15, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. safeTALK is a good fit in a workplace professional development package.

Contact a member of the Training Support Team to find out more: lldtraining@lifeline.org.au

I would love to see something like this being introduced as mandatory for leaders and managers within organisations. Too often leaders are chosen for their business acumen, but we need to be recognising and acknowledging the human side of what we do.

Excellent presenters, really in-tune with the audience. Their approach to such a heavy topic made it easily understandable and relatable for our team.

our workshops Most intending participants of our skillsfor-life workshops are unaware that this training - no matter what the subject orientation - is actually enjoyable, fun even. They don’t expect that! Trainers such as Dr Joe Tighe who has been with our training team for over seven years combine lucidity and levity to make serious topics approachable, the joy of learning so to speak.

Another strength of our deliveries is that we prefer small-group dynamics, enough participants to facilitate discussion without the intimidation that could be felt with larger groups. Yet more: smaller groups are great for genuine connection and sharing of resources.

Really well run, fantastic content, very relevant, well evidenced material, practical and presented in an engaging manner. Participants were fantastic, presenters had a great depth of knowledge and skill level and managed the training in an effective manner.

Virtually anyone age 16 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, can become an ASIST-trained caregiver. Developed in 1983 and regularly updated to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop.

During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over two million people have undertaken this workshop, and studies have proven that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings for those at risk. ​

ASIST: applied suicide intervention skills training Are you passionate about making a positive impact in challenging situations? LivingWorks ASIST is an invaluable skill set to add to your helping toolbox. ASIST is a comprehensive, evidence-based workshop designed to equip individuals with the essential skills to intervene and provide support in crisis situations.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, educator, community leader, or concerned individual, ASIST is applicable across a wide range of settings where crisis intervention skills are crucial.

Learn Life-Saving Skills: ASIST is renowned for its practical and hands-on approach to crisis intervention. Gain knowledge and confidence to respond effectively to someone at risk of suicide.

Expert Facilitators: Benefit from experienced and certified trainers who guide you through the workshop, offering insights, real-world scenarios, and personalised feedback.

Interactive Training: Engage in interactive simulations and group discussions that mirror real-life crisis situations. This immersive experience ensures you leave with practical skills that can be applied immediately.

Build a Supportive Network: ASIST provides a supportive environment to learn, share experiences, collaborate with others.

Recognised Certification: Upon completion, you'll receive a globally recognised ASIST certificate, showcasing your commitment to enhancing your crisis intervention skills.

In my position, I am often asked to consult regarding clients who are showing suicidal concerns. I utilise the knowledge I have learnt in my ASIST training to best support and advise staff members.

Don't miss the chance to be part of this transformative experience. Join us at an upcoming community ASIST workshop and take a meaningful step towards making a difference in the lives of those in crisis.

One Monday, Corrina arrived at her desk and noticed that her manager Mike’s door was uncharacteristically closed.That was one thing Corrina really liked about Mike, that he was always available with an open door policy. This morning was different though, even the light wasn't on. He didn't appear to be in an online meeting or on the phone either. She hesitated before knocking, but she had a strong sense that something was out of the ordinary. Mike didn't say anything when she opened his office door and asked if she could come in.

She could instantly see that he was very out of sorts. When she asked if he was OK, she had a moment's realisation that she would need her skills as an accidental counsellor. Mike was a mess. He divulged that he had spent most of the weekend in hospital with his brother who had attempted to take his own life. Other members of the family came and went, but it was Mike who stayed.

Mike seemed relieved to be able to talk to a trusted colleague who hadn’t called in HR. He just wanted to get it off his chest. He had known there was something amiss with his brother Jack whose wife Cindy had left taking the kids. Mike was utterly miserable that he had not realised just how heavily Jack was suffering, kicking himself that he had not seen the signs, whatever they might have been.

Corrina had been planning to attend the ASIST workshop and now the idea really took hold, that not just she but Mike too would benefit from this training. She had a sense that it was too soon to mention this and so she just listened . . . and listened . . . and kept him company while he poured out his despair in being unable to help his brother. Corrina remembered to use empathic listening skills, not to say too much, and not to give advice.

Maybe it wasn't too soon to talk about attending ASIST. Maybe it was just what Mike needed because, between the two of them, they realised that the crisis was not over.

Less than two weeks after I completed my training, my daughter took an overdose medication that was intended to end her life but went to hospital for an intervention. After that, I have since used my ASIST training more than seven times to discuss her thoughts of suicide. I never thought I would be using the training so quickly or so personally.

DV-alert’s purpose is to implement strategies towards four priority areas: Reduce violence against women Demonstrate Australian Government leadership on gender equality Increase opportunities for women to undertake valued leadership roles Create business and workplace cultures that deliver better economic choices and outcomes for women

recognise, respond, refer The aim of DV-alert training is to empower every community frontline worker to be a confident first responder to issues of domestic and family violence. Being the first point of contact for most people in the community, frontline workers have a crucial role to effectively engage with people experiencing domestic and family violence to seek appropriate help and support.

DV-alert is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lifeline Australia, a nationally recognised training program with training and assessment delivered by Lifeline Australia and approved third parties on behalf of Lifeline Australia (RTO 88036).

The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services as a key initiative under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

DV-alert workshops are led by experienced trainers dedicated to ending violence against women and children. We provide a safe space for frontline workers to learn how to recognise the signs of domestic and family violence, respond confidently and refer appropriately to support services.

The range of programs are for frontline workers, paid and volunteering, who provide service and support to the community in the health, allied health, education and community sectors. More information is available at www.dvalert.org.au

RTO 88036

It was one of the best courses I’ve ever done. Incredibly educational, informative and supportive. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since and am excited to be doing a presentation to my team back at work on what I learnt.

The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services as a key initiative under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Corrina was certainly interested in attending one of the DV-alert workshops, but she was a little hesitant that it might be too close to home, home being the operative word because she knew that her mum was in a relationship that had the hallmarks of coercive control, something she been reading about in magazines.

She didn’t anticipate that work would cover her to attend this one although she had heard mention of domestic and family violence leave being made compulsory by workplaces just like hers. She decided to ask - ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’ was one of her favourite sayings - even if she needed to plan ahead for PD time.

The time came. She had received endorsement to attend not only from Mike but also from the HR Team, and afterwards she wondered why she had been so hesitant. The trainers were just so welcoming, superbly knowledgeable and, again, she was in the company of some amazing participants, quite a few of them men. Corrina hadn’t expected that and was grateful that so many men cared about the issue of intimate relationship violence. She also received another Certificate of Attendance to add to her CV.

As a male participant, I hope that as many men as possible undertake this training.

I will be recommending and promoting this course to males that I know across multiple social, community, and commercial settings.

Increasingly, organisations are acknowledging that the ‘H’ in WH&S is not only about physical health and safety. The mental health of employees is a significant consideration on not just their wellbeing but also on the company’s bottom line.

mind your mates An ideal ‘toolbox tool’ for a range of settings in which time is limited but messaging is needed.

Mind Your Mates is a one-hour ‘toolbox tool’ for anyone to be able to recognise the signs of depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide. The presentation can be delivered in a workplace, a Men’s Shed or school by Lifeline skillsfor-life suicide prevention trainers.

Employers are recognising that mental health problems reduce performance and lead to increased absenteeism.

Having a mental health savvy workforce or, as this toolbox programs is called, the ability to Mind Your Mates, builds stronger workplace wellbeing and employer reputation.

Terrific short introductory course and precursor to Mental Health First Aid. Much needed in our community.

We know that opportunities to participate in and contribute to sport programs provide young people with a sense of belonging, mastery, generosity, and mattering. However, there is a darker side of the youth sport experience: injuries, burnout, over-scheduling, and pressure to succeed. Yet while we hear about broken bones, tendons and ligaments, one health area is still kept in the shadows of the sporting world: mental health problems.

mind your sports mates Mind Your Sports Mates is a short, concise educative deliverable tailored for young people to help build awareness around mental health problems and how to identify someone who may be thinking about suicide.

Many sportspeople have revealed their battles with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and selfharm, role modelling to others that it is better to speak up rather than to struggle in silence. Coaches, umpires, physical education teachers, trainers, sports administrators, parents and others involved in facilitating sports and recreation activities are important gatekeepers to watch out for young sports people who may be experiencing mental health issues.

More importantly, perhaps, is the ability for peers to have a degree of awareness around what signs to look out for. One of the biggest influencing factors when it comes to mental health problems is being able to find support from the people around you. Thus, for young people to encourage helpseeking behaviour within the frame of minding your sports mates adds another layer of de-stigmatising mental health problems.

Says Katie: ‘I have delivered this insightful program to over 2,000 young people on the Central Coast over the past few years and it always astounds me how much this so short program makes a so big impact.’

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern that affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds. In Australia, research indicates that NSSI behaviours are particularly prevalent among young people, with studies showing that approximately 8% to 10% of adolescents report engaging in selfinjury. This workshop is designed to equip professionals, educators, and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to effectively understand, identify, and respond to NSSI.

Conversations about non-suicidal self-injury The most common reasons for engaging in NSSI are to manage negative emotions and ease unbearable tension. People who self-injure can report overwhelming feelings of sadness, anger, and anxiety, and may self-injure to manage these painful emotions. Often self-injury allows people to communicate their distress to others and express their need for help.

Meet Lisa Willows, member of the Lifeline Training Support Team. Lisa spent 18 months coordinating one of our large funded programs in Northern NSW and the New England, organising training to help build resilience with residents in bushfire affected regions.

One program Lisa favoured from our range of skills-for-life workshops was this one, MHFA Conversations about NSSI. Frontline workers and caregivers flocked to the 20 of these workshops she scheduled across impacted regional towns.

[Our trainer] brought so much knowledge and trauma informed practices for a safe and enjoyable training.

Learn to recognise the early signs of self-harm and intervene before they escalate.

The next workshop at Lifeline was called Conversations about non-suicidal self-injury.

Corinna wasn't sure this one would be so interesting to her, but the upcoming one was on her RDO and fully funded. Why not, she thought, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Almost straight away as the trainer described what non-suicidal self-injury was and how many people – particularly young women – practised it did the penny drop. She had noticed at her Uncle’s 50th that her cousin Natalie had what looked like cigarette burns on her legs. Natalie had brushed it away as sandfly bites when Corrina had asked, but now she was realising that this particular training had relevance in her family.

She talked it over with the trainer in her break and decided to visit her Uncle’s the next weekend, see if she could strike up a conversation with Natalie. She had done something similar when she visited her Mum's place and left her MHFA workbook on the kitchen bench with a bookmark at the bipolar section.

After the workshop, she had lunch with Pieta.

Actually, Pieta wasn’t surprised that Corrina had been picking off Lifeline’s workshops one by one. To be honest, said Pieta, I had been waiting for you to discover a new direction. Corrina very tentatively sounded out something one of the trainers had mentioned about becoming a volunteer on Lifeline’s crisis line. To Corrina’s utter surprise, Pieta confided that she had been volunteering a shift a week on 13 11 14.

Corrina did love her job, but she knew that she hungered to help in a very different way than responding to questions at the help desk. Mike had given her permission to have a stack of Lifeline wallet cards on display, but it was only now, talking this over with Pieta, that the idea began to take hold: she could be on the other end of that crisis line.

“Note to self”, she thought. “Find out more about what is involved.”

New for me was learning the different cues that someone could be exhibiting even if they don't use the term self-harm or suicide explicitly.

People involved in human services are particularly vulnerable to burnout. They may have a strong orientation towards nurturing and giving to others yet may fail to take care adequately for themselves.

Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same care and attention you would bestow on others. Learn to be your own best, most appreciative and encouraging friend. In the end, it is your “self” – your strengths, energy, perceptions, wisdom and experience, uniqueness – that is yours to enjoy and to offer to your relationships and your community.

Self-care increases our quality of life and our ability to support others. Tune in to your own needs and plan ahead.

Consider a wellness day instead of a sick day; attend a counselling session or therapeutic experience for your own self; let others know if you need self-care time; ask for help – and that’s surprisingly difficult for many of us who help others!

To fit acts of self-care into your schedule, you will need to assign them a high priority and resist notions that self-caring activities are selfish, of secondary importance, or a waste of time. You may need to experiment in order to discover what suits you best.

all about you: self-care, resilience, recovery

Most people think it’s the big decisions they have made over the course of their lives that have shaped them into who they are today— where they went to school, who they married, what line of work they chose, making a major shift in a new direction, deciding to pursue their passions or travel the world and so on.

But the truth is, while such major decisions help to shape a life, in many ways it’s just the opposite—it’s all the thousands, if not tens of thousands—of micro-decisions we make every day of which we are mostly unaware that influence our reality most strongly. It’s a kind of relief really to know that we can achieve the goals we want for ourselves in small, manageable ways that can be inexpensive or cost nothing. All we need to do is pay attention to micro-decisions about self-care practises made drop by drop.

Facilitator, moderator and content fantastic. Not used to such professional training. Have never used Lifeline services but will keep you in mind.

Blue Writing Blue Writing

This workshop is also suited to online delivery for members of teams in diverse locations and for organisations with a working from home workforce.

There once was a man who felt discouraged. He took stock of the resolutions he had made last year, nothing in his life had changed. He was the same person with the same problems. He began to lose hope, so he went to speak to his mentor.

His mentor asked, ‘Do you know how long it takes for the giant bamboo to grow as tall as a building? During the first year, the tiny plant is watered and fertilised and nothing happens. It is watered and fertilised for another whole year, and another, and another, and still nothing happens. Then on the fifth year, it shoots up to the sky. In six weeks, the bamboo grows 90 feet.

‘So’, asked the man’s mentor, ‘how long does it take for it to grow so high?’ ‘Six weeks,’ the man replied. ‘That’s your mistake,’ said the mentor. ‘It takes five years. If the farmer stopped watering the plant at any point during those five years, it would have died. What was happening during all those years? Underneath the ground, an enormous network of roots was developing to support the bamboo’s sudden growth.’

Growth takes patience and perseverance. Every drop of water makes a difference. Every step you take makes an impact. You may not see the change right away, but growth is happening.

Had the tree not developed a strong unseen foundation, it could not have sustained its life as it grew and it only grew as it did by regular watering, drop by drop. The same principle is true for people. People who patiently make dropby-drop micro decisions toward their dreams and goals build strong foundations, overcoming adversity and challenges that help to grow resilience. Our approach in this presentation is to add a few more “drops to your jug”.

“A jug fills drop by drop” says the Buddha. Every drop of water makes a difference.

Thank you, your training was very, very helpful. I've attended many online training sessions of late, and this has been, by far, the best.

Our online training range delivered via Zoom has received rave reviews from individuals and our workplace clients.

• 2-part Accidental Counsellor Foundations workshop (5 hours total delivery time) • Blended Accidental Counsellor (60-minutes eLearning, 3½-hour workshop) • Blended Mental Health First Aid (6 hrs eLearning, 2 X 2½-hour workshops) • DV-aware workshops (2 hours, 1-day) • All About You: self-care, resilience & recovery (2-hours delivery time)

We list most face-to-face and virtual events (other than DV-alert events) on the training pages of our website whether the workshop is community place-by-place (book and pay), funded ($0) or a dedicated workplace event (closed to the public) www.lifelinedirect.org.au/training

Most of our online deliveries are also delivered in-person. Some are required to be delivered exclusively face-to-face.

• 2-day LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop • LivingWorks safeTALK 3½-hour suicide intervention awareness presentation • 1-day Accidental Counsellor Foundations workshop • 3.5 hours Blended Accidental Counsellor • Mind Your Sports Mates for Coaches, Players (60 minutes delivery time) • Mind Your Mates (45 minutes delivery time) • Range of 2-day and 1-day DV-alert workshops (see www.dvalert.org.au ) • 2-day Mental Health First Aid workshops (Standard, Youth versions) • Half-day Mental Health First Aid Conversations about Non-suicidal Self-injury • All About You: self-care, resilience & recovery (2-hour delivery time)

LivingWorks is a Canadian-based world suicide prevention leader of 35 years’ standing with a subsidiary in Australia.

All community workshop place-by-place bookings, both face-to-face and online, flow through our website Arlo booking platform, either paid by credit card, through invoice release or free as funded places. This process is invigilated for geographic adherence to funders’ requirements.

DV-alert is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lifeline Australia funded by the Department of Social Services.

Several of our trainers are MHFA-qualified to deliver from the MHFA range of products: Standard and Youth workshops, blended online events and Conversations about non-suicidal self-injury.

50 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE Lifeline’s training support team: when you book our training, you get us!

L-R: Lisa Willows, June Anderson, Katie Allen, Caroline Robinson and Kristina Lawrence.

Dr Marilyn June Anderson, Group Manager, Training

And Corrina? She spoke to Kris on our Training Support Team at one of the Lifeline workshops she attended and applied to become a volunteer crisis supporter on 13 11 14. She undertook the 170 hours of training required including 80 hours of placement and internship over 12 months. ‘It has been all the Lifeline workshops I have been attending,” she said to Kris., “that has led me in this direction. I know it’s not for everyone, but it is for me.”

is based in Newcastle and covers training operations across all Lifeline Direct sites in NSW and Victoria. She coordinates the appointment of trainers from a team of 28 training service providers and 13 Lifeline Centres delivering DV-alert workshops. Service to Lifeline = 25 years

Kristina Lawrence, Community Training Facilitator

is based in Newcastle and is our primary moderator for virtual deliveries.

Kris manages our training booking system, Arlo, and is qualified to deliver safeTALK, ASIST, Accidental Counsellor Foundations, with us 3 years.

Katie Allen, Community Training Facilitator

is based on the Central Coast with 10 years’ service to Lifeline and is the primary contact for the SOKS Project. She is a key contributor to delivering the Mind Your Sports Mates SOKS-funded program and is qualified to deliver safeTALK and ASIST.

Lisa Willows, Training Engagement Coordinator

is based in Port Macquarie with 12 years’ service to Lifeline, a decade with Lifeline Mid Coast as Marketing Manager before joining LLD’s Bushfire Recovery Project in 2022.

Caroline Robinson, Training Systems Administrator

is based in Sydney and has newly joined the Support Team part-time. Her primary role is as DV-alert administrator for G9 Northern NSW and G5 Victoria DV-alert Consortia working closely with June on the national DValert database, JobReady, and with Kris as systems administrator on our training booking platform, Arlo.

The communication and organisation from the Lifeline team has been exceptional.

Volunteer to be a

Telephone Crisis Supporter Find out more at: lifelinedirect.org.au

Lifeline Direct Ltd HO: 12 Maitland Rd, Islington NSW 2296 1300 152854 lldtraining@lifeline.org.au lifelinedirect.org.au/training