Reaching Out

Crisis is an opportunity for change. Designed specifically for Aboriginal communities, “Reaching Out: Responding to a Person in Crisis” offers a culturally-sensitive introduction to the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to understand and respond to community members overwhelmed by a personal crisis. The three key goals of the program are:

  • to create emotional safety in the face of a painful issue;
  • to provide essential knowledge, strategies and techniques to respond to emotional crisis as a psychological and socio-historic problem;
  • to develop a core group of skilled and resilient individuals who can assist individuals in crisis within the community.

The session includes talking-circles at the beginning and end of each day and provides the time and support necessary for the spontaneous sharing of personal stories. The opportunity for healing has proven to be as valuable to the participants as the information and skills offered.

  • Each participant receives a comprehensive handbook.

Sample Agenda

DAY 1: COMMUNITY WELLNESS

  • Introductions & Getting Started
  • Traditional Values & Colonization
  • Traditional Values: The Source of Wellness & Resilience
  • Community Resources

DAY 2: HELPING

  • Understanding Crisis
  • Responding to a Person in Crisis
  • The Role & Responsibility of a Helper

DAY 3: RESPONDING TO SUICIDAL CRISIS

  • Understanding Suicidal Crisis
  • Recognizing Suicidal Crisis
  • Responding to Suicide

DAY 4: SPECIFIC ISSUES

  • Understanding Grief
  • Understanding Trauma Impacts
  • Responding to Anger and Rage

DAY 5: FOUR PATHS OF HEALING

  • Four Paths of Grief and Trauma Healing
  • Responsibility, Consultation and Confidentiality
  • Self Care
  • Closure