Helping Skills in Mental Health Facilitation The goals of this section are to outline the qualities and skills needed to work in Mental Health Facilitation. This is a big picture look at the person and the process. Module 2

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Like repairing a fine watch, but instead you: Use words to explore feelings, solutions Time questions appropriately Communicate with empathy and patience Equipped with Skills This takes practice. Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Early Considerations Purpose of the meeting The person’s expectations Duration of the first meeting Number of meetings Available resources Desired outcome In your groups, create a scenario and generate some possible answers to these questions based on that situation – have each group report on their scenario and resulting answers to the questions. Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Early Goals Recognize that it may be “uneasy” at the beginning Develop a non-threatening approach Be reassuring so that the person: Talks more freely Feels less threatened Is more likely to return Engages in problem solving Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Personal Style Sometimes you may be direct “Let’s get down to business” Sometimes you may be indirect “It’s great to see you again” Always pay attention to the person with whom you are working and what is best for that individual. (This training will provide these skills.) Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Give Specifics Explain what is likely to happen Explain roles and limitations Discuss logistics (such as time, place), and confidentiality Check to see if the person understands Let them know that you are a person who can listen to them and support their finding ways to approach their problems. You may also be able to tell them about some resources. When you finish ask the person to repeat what has been heard so you can be sure of understanding – also ask for questions and answer them; if you don’t know the answer, say you will find out Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Gives a person clear direction about how the MHF process How it can work What can happen Helps the person understand the general process and the skills involved in Mental Health Facilitation A Good Start to Helping Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

The Mental Health Facilitation Process Step 1: Get ready Step 2: Learn about the person Step 3: Learn about the problem Step 4: Consider various solutions Step 5: Connect the person to resources and/or help the person to achieve a solution Step 6: Close and follow-up Your work with individuals will generally proceed this way: Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Step 1 Get Ready Review all you know and believe about human beings, helping & your community Consider where you will be speaking to the person, and prepare that space for as much privacy and as few distractions as possible Remind yourself of your role and which MHF skills you may use in this situation Practice with compassion, patience and dedication preparing yourself Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Step 2 Learn about the Person Come together Listen, listen, listen Respond to the person’s story Continue to listen and respond as this will lead to even more about the person and the situation Step 2 Learn about the Person Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Step 3 Learn about the Problem Focus on what is most important to the person Ask questions to understand better Continue to sort things out with the person Try to understand all aspects of the situation Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Step 4 Consider a Variety of Solutions Define the problem Find out what has been tried Determine other possibilities Make choices Develop a plan of action Consider support Step 4 Consider a Variety of Solutions Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF Working with a family Working with a community Using support systems that already exist such as faith groups Finding traditional helping strategies Looking for other supportive resources Types of Support Tell me about how someone in your area gets help with difficulties – what are the many ways? Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Step 5: Connect to Resources or Help Implement a Solution Define an action plan Engage in problem-solving Practice new behaviors Use your referral skills Connecting to resources and/or helping the person choose and implement a solution Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Step 6: Close and Follow-up Examine plans and progress Check on referrals Plan follow-up possibilities Say good-bye Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

If You Believe You Cannot Help Don’t worry Admit it to the person Help the person find appropriate help, including referral to medical and social services Keep an up-to-date list of qualified professionals for referrals (counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists) Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF

Explore! What are three things I heard today that I want to remember? What surprised me? What questions do I still have?

Explore! At our next meeting, bring a picture that shows an emotion It can be a family photograph or a picture from a magazine or book

Key Points to Unlock this Module Early goals of the process includes being reassuring and non-threatening A good start to helping includes providing specifics about the process Help can be in many forms including providing a referral to a professional Key Points to Unlock this Module Module 2: Helping Skills in MHF