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Suicide prevention peer workforce

Establishing, training and supporting the specialised suicide prevention peer workforce critical to the broad suicide prevention system.

Discover PEERnet, our Suicide Prevention Peer Worker Hub below.

Meeting specific professional needs

A peer workforce in suicide prevention exists to reduce the distress of those in crisis who are impacted by suicide. It will simultaneously reduce pressure on clinicians, save money, contribute to system reform, and get help to more people more rapidly. Suicide prevention peer workers with the relevant lived experience of suicide can respond to the psychosocial factors and situational distress at the root of many suicidal crises. As a specialised workforce, SP Peer Workers have specific professional needs:

  1. A work environment that is strongly supportive in both policy and operational senses, including at an executive level.
  2. Managers that value peer workers’ presence and understand their role.
  3. Opportunities to reflect on their practice as peer workers.
  4. Customised training in peer work and suicide prevention.
  5. Opportunities to network with other peer workers and share experiences.

Roses in the Ocean believes it is critical that a robust framework is implemented to bolster support for the SP Peer Workforce.

Introducing PEERnet

PEERnet, coordinated by the Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce Development and Support team at Roses in the Ocean, is a secure virtual hub for suicide prevention peer workers and their allies. It facilitates collaborative discussions, critical reflection, and access to resources.

We welcome peers from all sectors to engage with our content, as many topics and discussions will be relevant to their work. We also acknowledge that peer workers in any field may support people affected by suicide. PEERnet aims to establish itself as a credible authority in Suicide Prevention Peer Work.

Join PEERnet

Expanding the suicide prevention peer workforce

An urgent and rapid solution to Australia’s suicide challenge.

The suicide prevention peer workforce is a critical but underdeveloped element of Australia’s emerging suicide prevention system.

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Suicide Prevention Peer Support Services

Roses in the Ocean has developed a suite of training and support options to respond to the unique professional needs of the Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce; and to support services successfully integrate SP Peer Workers into their workforce.

The suite of services includes:

  • Training for teams to help them understand the unique challenges of suicide prevention peer workers in their roles.
  • Bespoke suicide prevention peer training.
  • Independent support services – individual peer mentoring, group co-reflection, community of practice.

Bespoke suicide prevention peer training

Our training is designed to meet the needs of the suicide prevention peer worker and the organisation and sector in which they work.

Roses in the Ocean currently offers suicide prevention training for organisations only. Please enquire through your teams channels. Our team can be reached at [email protected].

Organisational readiness training and support services

Roses in the Ocean has developed its online Organisational Readiness Workshop to meet the needs of suicide prevention services who already employ or are planning to employ Suicide Prevention Peer Workers.

Independent Suicide Prevention Peer Support Services

Roses in the Ocean suicide prevention peer work support services provides individually tailored support to suit the needs of the peer worker in the context of their role. This is through:

Individual peer mentoring meets the ongoing professional support and development needs of the Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce. We offer Suicide Prevention Peer Workers the opportunity to co-reflect with a highly skilled Peer Worker.

Suicide Prevention Peer Workers benefit from the opportunity to speak openly and freely with someone who is independent from their workplace. We provide a safe space where ideas can be tested, stigma can be challenged, and fears can be dispelled.

Our Peer Mentors have significant experience in peer work, a deep understanding of peer values, principles, and approaches, and have skill in facilitating solution-focused conversations.

Peer mentors assist suicide prevention peer workers to identify solutions to challenges in the workplace. Sessions include challenging assumptions by critically reflecting on positionality.

Group Co-reflection is an opportunity for Suicide Prevention Peer Workers in your team to provide mutual support, discuss shared challenges and learn from each other’s experiences.

In addition to supervision from their managers, Suicide Prevention Peer Workers have workplace needs that are best met through structured and solutions-focused conversations with other peer workers. Group co-reflection sessions are an opportunity for important conversation about practice and the role of peer workers in suicide prevention teams.

Suicide Prevention teams benefit from the opportunity to speak openly and freely in a confidential space with the guidance of someone who is independent from their workplace. Peer workers are invited to explore shared challenges and identify steps they can take to support each other in professional growth.

Communities of practice are facilitated to connect suicide prevention peer workers through structured conversations with a view to share learnings and collectively resolve challenges.

You can always email us at [email protected] if you’d like to learn more.

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Please note, Roses in the Ocean does not provide crisis intervention or counselling services.

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