“The goal is not to not force someone to stay alive from moment to moment. Rather, it is to support them to create meaning and a life that they want to live. Not killing oneself is simply a side-effect of all that…”
– Western Mass Recovery Learning Community
Background
Roses in the Ocean’s Non-clinical Peer-led Services including Community-led Safe Spaces, Peer CARE Companion Warmline and Peer CARE Companion in Community work to align with the long-term goal of providing everyone we support with the choice and control they request. Non-clinical Peer-led Services are a work in progress and are limited by our current resources.
The purpose of this document is to outline Roses in the Ocean’s position on when it is appropriate to seek assistance from emergency services, while providing support to people experiencing emotional distress and/or having thoughts of suicide.
It is important to remember that Roses in the Ocean’s Non-clinical Peer-led Services exist to support saving lives and reduce emotional distress and pain, and for people to create meaning and a life they want to live. It is essential to avoid any unnecessary action that may cause additional distress.
To ensure the safety, health, and wellbeing of all people involved in Roses in the Ocean’s Non-clinical Peer-led Services, emergency services will only be contacted in situations where:
- a person who is actively engaged in the service requests we do, or
- a person is disengaging from the service AND has communicated that they have the immediate intention of acting on their plan of suicide; or
- an incident occurs requiring immediate medical or other assistance.
As would be standard practice in any home, workplace or community space, emergency services will also be contacted if:
- there is an immediate and imminent threat to the life and safety of any person involved in the service, including a volunteer (eg: medical attention is required for an injury or a person within the service is being physically threatened by another), or
- the physical environment where Non-clinical Peer-led Services are taking place is in danger (eg: fire).
What is the role of Non-clinical Peer-led Services?
The purpose of Non-clinical Peer-led Services is to create a welcoming and safe environment for people who are having thoughts of suicide, are in emotional distress, or are wanting to connect with others with similar lived experience of suicide.
The role of the volunteer in supporting a person experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress is to be willing to sit with the person, listen deeply and encourage connecting to life and moving towards safety. It is important that volunteers recognise their own feelings of discomfort and resist the potential urge to unnecessarily contact emergency services.
These services aim to provide people with the support they need to make decisions that promote their wellbeing and safety. Prioritising the autonomy, control, empowerment, and agency of people accessing Non-clinical Peer-led Services assists in fostering a sense of ownership, self-determination, and self-efficacy. This enables them to have a voice in their own support, make informed decisions, and develop the necessary skills to navigate challenges and overcome obstacles.
Volunteers in Non-clinical Peer-led Services play an invaluable role in supporting people. The autonomy, control, empowerment and agency of volunteers should be respected and acknowledged. However, it should not supersede the rights and needs of people seeking help.
Why is autonomy, control, empowerment and agency important for the wellbeing of people who engage with Non-clinical Peer-led Services?
Autonomy, control, empowerment and agency are all related concepts that are important in promoting the dignity of people, particularly in the context of allowing them to make decisions about their personal safety.
Autonomy refers to an individual’s right to make decisions for themselves, particularly about their own health and wellbeing. Autonomy acknowledges that individuals have the right to make choices about their own lives, even if those choices involve some level of uncertainty.
Control, on the other hand, refers to the ability of an individual to have influence over the circumstances of their lives. When people have control over their lives, they can make decisions that align with their own worldview.
Empowerment is a related concept that refers to the process of enabling individuals to take control of their lives and make decisions that affect their own wellbeing. Empowerment can involve providing individuals with the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions and take actions that align with their values and beliefs.
Agency refers to the ability to act on one’s decisions and take responsibility for the consequences of those actions. It is about having the power and ability to shape one’s own life and take control of one’s own destiny.
Restricting a person’s autonomy, control, empowerment and agency significantly diminishes their ability to make choices. These restrictions limit their capacity to act independently, make decisions aligned with their values and beliefs, and exercise their own will. It can lead to a sense of powerlessness, compliance with external pressures, and a reduced ability to make informed and self-determined choices, ultimately undermining their personal freedom and individuality.
It is the volunteer’s responsibility to empower the people they support by providing them with the assistance and resources needed to make informed decisions and take actions that align with their personal wishes and values, always respecting their autonomy, agency and choice while refraining from any form of undue pressure or influence.
What can affect a person’s safety and security while receiving support from Non-clinical Peer-led Services?
Feelings of safety and security can vary from person to person and can be influenced by a range of factors, including personal experiences, accepted customs and traditions, and the surrounding environment. However, it’s crucial to recognise that social and systemic factors, such as discrimination, inequality, and historical injustices, play a significant role in shaping these feelings.
Discrimination, for instance, can create a lack of safety among marginalised groups and communities. Experiences of racial, gender, or sexuality-based discrimination can lead to heightened anxiety, fear, and stress, as individuals constantly navigate a hostile or unequal environment. This can include both overt acts of discrimination and more subtle, systemic forms of exclusion and marginalisation that limit access to resources and opportunities.
Moreover, systemic inequalities, including disparities in access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, can contribute to feelings of insecurity. When individuals and communities face systemic barriers that limit their potential and wellbeing, it can lead to chronic stress and a sense of vulnerability. Inadequate social safety nets and support systems also exacerbate insecurity. When people lack access to essential services, like affordable healthcare, housing, and mental health resources, their overall sense of wellbeing and safety can erode, leading to increased anxiety and distress.
Often people don’t feel safe when others take actions against their wishes because it can create a sensation of vulnerability and loss of control. When someone acts against another person’s wishes it is a violation of that person’s autonomy. It can create a feeling of unpredictability and uncertainty about what might happen next. This can activate the body’s stress response, increasing anxiety and fear. It can be difficult to reconcile the fact that someone else is not respecting our wishes and desires, which can create feelings of confusion and anger.
Feeling safe and secure requires a sense of agency and control over our environment and experiences.
How do we best support people who have thoughts of suicide or who are in emotional distress?
While providing support and assistance to people who may be having thoughts of suicide or are experiencing emotional distress, we understand that some people may express their preference not to involve emergency services while they remain engaged with our service. We will respect their autonomy and choice, while striving to offer ongoing assistance, support and resources to promote their wellbeing.
It is important to note that in situations where a person’s (including a volunteer’s) safety requires immediate attention, or where disengaging from our service poses an imminent and urgent concern, that our primary responsibility is to prioritise the person’s safety and wellbeing. We may need to contact emergency services to provide the necessary support, in line with the specific circumstances outlined in this document in which emergency services may be contacted.
Why is it important that volunteers feel safe and secure when supporting people in distress?
The volunteer’s ability to assist someone in distress to feel safe is dependent on their own sense of safety and wellbeing. It is essential that the volunteer feels secure, both physically and emotionally, to create an environment that fosters trust, empathy and open communication.
For a volunteer to feel safe and secure they require the appropriate resources, knowledge and training to perform their role. Volunteers are required to have insight into their own feelings of distress and be equipped with strategies to manage their emotions and reactions, to ensure they remain calm and composed during distressing moments and contribute to the creation of a safe and supportive environment for all. It is essential that volunteers do not prioritise their own need to seek assistance ahead of the needs of those in suicidal distress. Seeking assistance in a crisis should always be done in collaboration with all concerned.
Furthermore, the volunteer must feel emotionally safe in their role. They should have access to a support network or team with whom they can debrief and process their experiences. This support network allows them to share their own feelings, concerns, and challenges without judgment or repercussions, maintaining their mental and emotional wellbeing.
In what circumstances should emergency services be contacted?
Roses in the Ocean is dedicated to empowering people to make their own choices regarding their mental health and wellbeing while recognising the importance of offering information, resources and support through our Non-clinical Peer-led Services.
Roses in the Ocean’s stance is that there are only rare and specific circumstances in which emergency services should be contacted. These circumstances are:
- Where a person who is engaged with the service requests we do, or
- A person is disengaging from the service and has communicated that they have the immediate intention of acting on their plan of suicide; or
- An incident occurs requiring immediate medical or other assistance.
As would be standard practice in any home, workplace or community space, emergency services will also be contacted if:
- there is an immediate and imminent threat to the safety of any person involved in the service, including a volunteer (eg: medical attention is required for an injury or a person within the service is being physically threatened by another), or
- the physical environment where Non-clinical Peer-led Services are taking place is in danger (eg: fire).
To seek further information on how we support people experiencing emotional distress and having thoughts of suicide who are engaged with Roses in the Ocean’s Non-clinical Peer-led Services, please make contact with our team via: