8.1 - Understanding differences

Question 1

What are the different types of differences in HS emotional presentation?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define a crisis?

Answer 2

Time-limited periods of vulnerability when a stressful life experience or transition temporarily overwhelms a person’s capacity to cope.

Question 3

If someone calls Lifeline and begins talking about an issue, should that issue be seen as the primary one to focus on?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

A person who is making “humming sounds” is likely to be calling with malicious intent - true or false

Answer 4

False, someone with autism cannot control their noises when in extreme emotional crisis and it could be something like that.

Question 5

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Research has found that 60% of Lifeline callers are frequent callers, why is this?

Answer 6

They have complex lives with many issues

• Often have mental health disorders*
• Often very isolated*
• Do not have connection in their daily lives*

Question 7

How do you support a frequent help seeker?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What are the 4 main types of issues for help seekers?

Answer 8

Trauma

Loneliness

Loss and Grief

Relationships

Question 9

What type of emotion is crucial for recovery from trauma?

Answer 9

Compassion

Question 10

What is trauma?

Answer 10

It is our coping mechanisms when we are overwhelmed by an event

It can alter our physiology, brain, thoughts and beliefs (particularly about safety)

Question 11

What are the common impacts of trauma?

Answer 11

Question 12

If someone tells you they have gone through a traumatic event, how much detail should you get them to go into?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

For someone who has gone through recent trauma, should you deal with practical needs or emotional needs first?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or past trauma does what to someones physical and mental health and wellbeing?

Answer 14

Negative long-term effects.

Question 15

Drunken Parents and Hitting a Child are an example of?

Answer 15

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Question 16

ACEs does what to someone long-term?

Answer 16

Changes their personality, emotions and development which will affect them their entire life.

Question 17

If someone has gone through unrecognised and unaddressed complex trauma, how will that change the help seeker interaction?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

When does loneliness occur?

Answer 18

When the quality of our relationships are felt to be inadequate

Question 19

Can you be lonely if surrounded by people?

Answer 19

Yes

It’s about the quality of the relationships

Question 20

Is a help seeker who is ‘just lonely’ in a crisis?

Answer 20

Yes they can be

Question 21

The best way to support a lonely help-seeker is to?

Answer 21

Simply follow the CARE framework and build a connection with them

Question 22

Is grief only about coping with loss?

Answer 22

It involves coping with loss, but it’s also about coping with change

Question 23

Is grief linear?

Answer 23

No, it has ups and downs - you might feel better for a while then feel terrible after a while

Question 24

When grieving, what is important for you to do?

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

How do we use CARE to help people dealing with grief and loss?

Answer 25

By hearing the pain they are currently experiencing, and supporting them to take small steps towards coping.

Question 26

What other types of losses are there other than the loss of a loved one?

Answer 26

Job

Relationship

Moving cities

Financial losses

Loss of identity

Loss of property/family home due to natural disasters etc

Question 27

Why is loss from suicide particularly hard to cope with?

Answer 27

Because it brings up questions of whether it could have been prevented, and what the person did to contribute

Question 28

What are 7 things that someone who has lost a loved one to suicide can do to ease their pain?

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

What are some techniques that we as CS’s can use to help someone who is bereaved by suicide?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Why is loss from suicide particularly hard to cope with?

Answer 30

Because it brings up questions of whether it could have been prevented, and what the person did to contribute

Question 31

What does recognising diversity in people mean?

Answer 31

Recognising that each individual person is unique and recognising our individual differences.

Question 32

How might our ‘biases’ effect how we act as CS’s?

Answer 32

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