Effective Peer Support Volunteer Methods Effective Peer Support Volunteer Methods Your State AgrAbility Project Peer Support Training Date Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and their Families

Learning Objectives To learn ways to connect well with people; to build rapport To understand and develop active listening skills To develop and practice problem solving skills To recognize warning signs To learn how to manage uncomfortable situations

An Effective Peer Supporter: Maintains perspective and objectivity Empathizes with compassion Helps empower person to make their own decisions

Connecting Well and Building Rapport

Rapport Definition: a noun meaning: 1: relation of mutual understanding or trust and agreement between people 2: a feeling of sympathetic understanding Rapport refers to the feelings of interest and understanding that develop when genuine concern is shown.

Establishing Rapport Exercise

Core Ingredients for Building Rapport in a Helping Relationship Active listening Eye contact Calm presence Respect A nonjudgmental attitude

Active listening… …is listening with a purpose.

A Purpose to Find Out What is being said……content What is being felt……..emotions What is wanted……outcome

Determine what they are saying….Content Use open ended questions to clarify content…the “how” and “what” Summarize what you think you are hearing and don’t be afraid to be wrong

Pay Attention to Feelings Feelings are neither good nor bad, they just are! Denying feelings does not make them disappear What a person does with their feelings could be harmful

Words that Suggest Feelings HandoutHandout

What are they saying they want to happen…the outcome?

Listen for the meaning or perception the person places on their situation positive negative

Active Listening People speak at 100 to 175 words per minute, but can listen intelligently at 600 to 800 words per minute.People speak at 100 to 175 words per minute, but can listen intelligently at 600 to 800 words per minute. This time difference allows the mind to drift to other thingsThis time difference allows the mind to drift to other things

In active listening, your focus is on the person you are with

Focus Try to put yourself in the other person’s situation Avoid placing focus on your feelings or problems Only interrupt for clarification or summarizing what they’ve said

Show You Are Listening Re-state what you understand them to be thinking or feeling Convey understanding through non verbal means…eye contact, posture, voice, expressions, nods, smiles, etc. Avoid offering advice, suggestions or making judgments

Maintain a Supportive Demeanor CalmCalm RespectfulRespectful HopefulHopeful Honest and sincereHonest and sincere NonjudgmentalNonjudgmental

Remember Their problem is not your responsibility or problem You are only there to be supportive and caring

Active Listening Exercise

Empower the person to make their own decisions, to problem-solve.

10 Ways to Help with Problem Solving Handout

1. Clarify Feelings Ask questions to sort out feelingsAsk questions to sort out feelings “Are you saying you’re worried that you might have to quit farming if you can’t figure out how to harvest the corn?”

2. Gather Information Find out as much as you can “What do you think are barriers to harvesting the corn?”

3. Define the Problem Look for what the person perceives as their problem(s) Example: A perceived problem is having the strength and endurance to work long hours in the future.

4. Identify the Desired Outcome What is it that the person wants to change so they can continue farming as they had been?

5. Brainstorm Alternatives Using open-ended, feeling-level questions explore the real problems “How would you feel about doing things differently?” List alternative solutions

6. Evaluate the Alternatives Prioritize solutions by importance Explore pros and cons of each

7. Predict Consequences Encourage person to discuss the outcome for each possible decisionEncourage person to discuss the outcome for each possible decision “What effect would hiring a person seasonally have on you and the operation?”

8. Clarify Values Will certain decisions violate a personal valueWill certain decisions violate a personal value “How will you feel if you have to rely on hired help to get the harvest in?”

9. Make Action Plan Guide the person to decide what to do first, second etcGuide the person to decide what to do first, second etc Identify the “who, what, when, where, and how”Identify the “who, what, when, where, and how”

10. Follow-up Plan another time to talk in person or by phone

What if you notice problems?

Signals of Distress or Trouble Anger Elevated stress Depression Suicidal thinking

Anger is a Problem If it is …. aggressive and uncontrolled oraggressive and uncontrolled or results in intimidating, violent or bullying behavior,results in intimidating, violent or bullying behavior, that persists over several visits with farmerthat persists over several visits with farmer

Resources for Managing Anger

Elevated Stress

Farm Stress Stresses related to weather, machinery, farm financial uncertainties, seasonal demands and long work hours Geographic isolation Reduced access to services for self or family Impact of disability on farm

Managing Stress Identify source of stress Eliminate stress sources you can Break the problem down into smaller pieces and work on one at a time Prioritize most immediate concern Develop a support system Use “Stress Busters”

Major Depression Is serious, Can almost always be successfully treated, and Should never be considered a personal weakness.

Prolonged stress or untreated depression could lead to suicidal thinking.

Suicidal Warning Signs Previous attempts at suicide Threats of suicide Extreme depression Abrupt changes in personality or behavior Behavior that they are preparing for death

Role of Peer Supporter Listen to what they are saying Take them seriously Ask appropriate questions to see what they are thinking Do not argue or try to reason with them Talk about other options Tell person help is available and contact the AgrAbility office

If Danger Appears Imminent Call SUICIDE 24 x 7 for a live trained person to talk with and to find local resources ( ) Then contact AgrAbility staff Another resource: Your State Rural Family Helpline

Safety and Health of Farmer, Rancher or Family Notify AgrAbility if you observe signs of excessive anger, alcohol or drug abuse, stress, depression, or suicidal tendencies. Avoid trying to solve family arguments or problems. Notify AgrAbility if you suspect abusive behavior of family or hired labor.

Managing Uncomfortable Situations and People

Relationship Boundaries Avoid ‘getting attached’ to the person to a point where your objectivity may be compromised Avoid overly friendly overtures toward you. Discuss your role as a peer supporter with the person. Avoid allowing the person to become dependent on your judgment. Empower them to make their own decisions.

In Summary: Actively listen Be available Support them as they resolve problems Notify AgrAbility staff if you have concerns about the person’s welfare

An Effective Peer Supporter Maintains perspective and objectivity Empathizes with compassion Helps empower person to make their own decisions

Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and their Families