We are seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified mental health professionals interested in volunteering to run disaster support groups for people who have been affected by a disaster. Red Cross is planning to offer support groups to communities in the Adelaide Hills fire-affected regions, but also will consider doing so for any future disasters.
Social support is key to recovery post disaster. Disaster support groups are a valuable aid to psychosocial recovery. They enable people in similar situations to share knowledge, experience, and psychosocial support with each other.
Australian Red Cross and the APS are partnering to run a disaster support group workshop for mental health professionals with experience in running groups, who also have experience in disaster recovery or other areas of traumatic stress or grief.
After the workshop we may ask you to volunteer time to facilitate monthly support groups of 1 to 2 hours as part of Red Cross Psychosocial Recovery programs if the need arises. In the event of a disaster affecting a particular region, these groups might involve travel to rural communities and need to be in the evening. Experience in other states indicates they may be required for more than a year as various issues arise in the course of recovery. Please consider if you can commit this time when deciding whether you would like to participate; continuity is essential to the groups’ effectiveness. People conducting such groups have found them a unique, creative and deeply satisfying professional experience.
Our Adelaide workshop will take place on
Thursday April 2nd, from 9am to 1pm
at the Adelaide Red Cross office,
212 Pirie Street, Adelaide.
The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Rob Gordon FAPS, an experienced disaster psychologist who has established and coordinated support groups after disasters such as the Black Saturday bushfires, the Bali Bombings, and the East Asian tsunami. The training will include an orientation to working in the disaster context, core principles of support groups, and practical information about running support groups following a disaster in Australia.
There is no fee for the workshop, which is likely to be claimable for CPD points.
Since the disaster support groups are an intervention targeted at psychological recovery, it is important that the Group Facilitators are able to discuss and answer questions about mental health issues in a credible and authoritative manner.
Essential:
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A post-graduate qualification in a mental health area
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A minimum of 3 years clinical experience in mental health and/or counselling
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Experience in running groups
Desirable: Experience in disaster recovery or other areas of traumatic stress.
If you think you would be suitable and can commit to conducting support groups following a disaster, please confirm your attendance at this workshop including an up-to-date CV, by emailing us at drn@psychology.org.au.