8.1 - Understanding differences Flashcards
What are the different types of differences in HS emotional presentation?
Anger, crying, screaming, making unusual sounds
there are many ways help seekers will present their distress, they must all be understood and accepted even if they go against social norms
Define a crisis?
Time-limited periods of vulnerability when a stressful life experience or transition temporarily overwhelms a person’s capacity to cope.
If someone calls Lifeline and begins talking about an issue, should that issue be seen as the primary one to focus on?
Not necessarily,
chances are there are other issues that they help seeker might really be calling about that they take a while to get into
A person who is making “humming sounds” is likely to be calling with malicious intent - true or false
False, someone with autism cannot control their noises when in extreme emotional crisis and it could be something like that.
When someone is having trouble communicating or is not saying anything, you should ask them to speak up and let you know whats happening. True or False
False
Sometimes allowing someone time to gather their thoughts and calm their emotions will help them tremendously. Patience will help.
Use phrases like “I’m here”, “take your time”
When someone is highly distressed this can be a grounding technique
Research has found that 60% of Lifeline callers are frequent callers, why is this?
They have complex lives with many issues
- Often have mental health disorders*
- Often very isolated*
- Do not have connection in their daily lives*
How do you support a frequent help seeker?
Focus on the here and now
Dont get caught up in the details of their story
Allow them to feel heard, focus them on current feelings rather than their life story.
Keep them in the present moment and support them in making decisions about their next steps once they have finished the interaction
What are the 4 main types of issues for help seekers?
Trauma
Loneliness
Loss and Grief
Relationships
What type of emotion is crucial for recovery from trauma?
Compassion
What is trauma?
It is our coping mechanisms when we are overwhelmed by an event
It can alter our physiology, brain, thoughts and beliefs (particularly about safety)
What are the common impacts of trauma?
If someone tells you they have gone through a traumatic event, how much detail should you get them to go into?
Only encourage them to talk about their reactions if they feel ready and able to do so.
Do not go into detail about the story, as this will likely open up a large emotional reaction - this is best for counselling.
Contact ISS if help seeker wants to go into trauma in detail
For someone who has gone through recent trauma, should you deal with practical needs or emotional needs first?
Practical needs - if they have nowhere to stay thats likely what they’ll want to focus on first
Focus on emotional needs once their practical needs are met
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or past trauma does what to someones physical and mental health and wellbeing?
Negative long-term effects.
Drunken Parents and Hitting a Child are an example of?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
ACEs does what to someone long-term?
Changes their personality, emotions and development which will affect them their entire life.
If someone has gone through unrecognised and unaddressed complex trauma, how will that change the help seeker interaction?
It’ll take longer to connect
- Even more crucial that the interaction is help-seeker focused and lead*
- Do not encourage the retelling of the trauma*
- If they really want to tell you, you can suggest that you want to listen but are worried it’ll bring up a lot of overwhelming emotions that they will need further help for. Then you can ask about talking to a professional in a face-to-face environment where they can get ongoing support.*
Help seeker must be heard and validated
When does loneliness occur?
When the quality of our relationships are felt to be inadequate
Can you be lonely if surrounded by people?
Yes
It’s about the quality of the relationships
Is a help seeker who is ‘just lonely’ in a crisis?
Yes they can be
The best way to support a lonely help-seeker is to?
Simply follow the CARE framework and build a connection with them
Is grief only about coping with loss?
It involves coping with loss, but it’s also about coping with change
Is grief linear?
No, it has ups and downs - you might feel better for a while then feel terrible after a while
When grieving, what is important for you to do?
1) Do things that make you happy
2) Do things that make you feel like yourself and give you joy, and do not feel guilty for doing that.
3) Take care of yourself
4) Reach out to others, you do not have to be alone in your grief (just talking out loud about your feelings can help greatly)
How do we use CARE to help people dealing with grief and loss?
By hearing the pain they are currently experiencing, and supporting them to take small steps towards coping.
What other types of losses are there other than the loss of a loved one?
Job
Relationship
Moving cities
Financial losses
Loss of identity
Loss of property/family home due to natural disasters etc
Why is loss from suicide particularly hard to cope with?
Because it brings up questions of whether it could have been prevented, and what the person did to contribute
What are 7 things that someone who has lost a loved one to suicide can do to ease their pain?
Take time out - it’s ok to give yourself time out from the pain you are experiencing by doing something you enjoy, even if you don’t feel like doing it at the time.
Stay connected and accept support - from friends, family, and support networks. This will reduce your sense of isolation and feelings of loneliness associated with grief.
Honour the deceased person - talk about them, keep a journal, share memories and photos.
Stay healthy - eat well, exercise, try to sleep and avoid drugs and alcohol.
Priortise daily tasks - only do what is essential, avoid making major decisions until you can think more clearly.
Ask for help if you need it - talk to a counsellor/psychologist, a helpline like Lifeline, friends and family to find comfort, support and ways to cope.
Join a suicide bereavement support group - sharing your experience with others who have been through similar experiences will help you realise you are not alone and that you can survive.
What are some techniques that we as CS’s can use to help someone who is bereaved by suicide?
Listening
Accepting their rage, guilt, depression, self-centredness and blame-placing without judging them
Letting them cry
Not asking “why” or if there was anything that could have been be done
Encouraging them to talk about the death with any children - they need help too
Mentioning the loved one by name
Including the bereaved person in your normal activities
Realising that working through grief can take years and that the hurt is never forgotten
Urging them to wait before making any major changes such as moving, giving away possessions or quitting a job
Understanding they can’t just ‘get over it’ but grow their lives around it
Suggesting they join a suicide bereavement support group
If and when appropriate, asking them if they are thinking about suicide.
Getting them professional help if they need it
Why is loss from suicide particularly hard to cope with?
Because it brings up questions of whether it could have been prevented, and what the person did to contribute
What does recognising diversity in people mean?
Recognising that each individual person is unique and recognising our individual differences.
How might our ‘biases’ effect how we act as CS’s?
We might view or treat people differently depending on our unconscious bias towards certain groups
Our values might influence how we treat certain group
Important that we do not need to support or approve the actions of the HS in order to help them get through their crisis
