Supporting mental health post-disaster: Disseminating a 'Skills for Psychological Recovery' training program to practitioners across Queensland

Following the 2011 natural disasters in Queensland, the Queensland Government funded delivery of the SPR training and support program to hundreds of health, mental health and welfare providers across the state. This paper reports on the delivery and evaluation of this program.

For many, their difficulties will be limited to mild or sub-threshold mental health problems that may not require specialist interventions. The Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR: Berkowitz et al, 2009) program was specifically developed to enable health practitioners and counsellors to teach coping skills to community members affected by such problems.

SPR focuses on evidence-based interventions including a brief needs assessment, problem-solving, promoting positive activities, helpful thinking, rebuilding social supports and managing distressing reactions. The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (ACPMH) has developed an SPR training and support program using a capacity-building dissemination model.

The aims of the program are to train and accredit competent trainers, improve the competence of practitioners to teach simple coping skills, and promote uptake of teaching these skills by practitioners. Key program activities include selection, training and accreditation of SPR trainers from both adult and child/adolescent services; quality assurance and support visits by ACPMH to practitioner workshops; teleconferences for trainers facilitated by APCMH; and completion of online modules by both trainers and practitioners.

Alexandra Howard, Clinical Specialist, Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health will speak at the 4th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference in Adelaide on November 19th to 21st,  2012.

The theme this year is PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST: MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND INITIATIVES IN AUSTRALIAN RURAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES.

The Conference Program is available here. http://anzmh.asn.au/rrmh

Skills for Psychological Recovery: basic and effective strategies to manage common psychological issues following disaster

Workshop

A significant proportion of people experience a range of psychological issues and distress in the months after a disaster. Many of the people affected in this way can be assisted by primary care and mental health professionals using brief but effective strategies. The Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) protocol was developed as an evidence-informed resource for use by health and mental health personnel of varying backgrounds and qualifications. The protocol is intended to be used in a flexible manner depending on the person’s needs, and to allow for a single session contact or contact over multiple sessions.

This workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about the SPR protocol, and to practice some key skills involved in providing this type of assistance to those affected by disaster.

The workshop will be part of 3rd Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium, "Impacts & Outcomes"
Mercure, Ballarat 14th – 16th November 2011, visit the website for more information.