The Resilient Peer

Research has shown that the average person spends 1/3 of their life at work.  Occupational or work stress can lower organizational commitment, increase turnover, lead to absenteeism, and cause personal physical and psychological problems for employees.  Depression and anxiety at work account for 44% of occupational ill health and 57% in loss of productivity.  Effective peer programs in the workplace can increase social support and develop resilience.  Peer programs at work can mitigate the negative effects of stress-related psychological outcomes for individuals and increase well-being.  A more resilient staff are more likely to perform better at work and create a healthy and positive work environment that develops a “growth mentality” rather than a fixed mindset. 

There is a proverb that extends to several cultures “you cannot pour from an empty vessel.”   Under this concept, the Resilient Peer program also trains potential peer candidates with resiliency concepts, so they learn to also take care of themselves while being the “guardians of the guardians” for their agency/department.  Put another way, what separates our peer-to-peer course from others is that we focus on providing the peer with tools necessary to handle the stress and vicarious trauma they may be exposed to in their interactions.  Moreover, peer candidates are taught effective techniques to not pick up the bags of individuals they are helping and make them their own.

The training modules related to specifically how to create an effective peer-to-peer program and how peers can effectively perform their tasks include the following curriculum with numerous practical exercises:

1. Evolution of Peer Programs

2. Overview of Complimentary Programs   

3. Confidentiality and Ethics

4.  Introduction to Listening and Assessment Skills

5. Initial Contact

6. Suicide Prevention and Intervention

7. Management Consultation Guidance

8. Alcohol and Substance Abuse

9. Common Concerns and Best Practices

10. Developing Community Resources and Go Book

11. Casualty, Mass Casualty Events, and Death Notification

12. Crisis Intervention Programs

13. Stress Management and the Five Pillars of Wellness

14. Grief and Bereavement

15. Peer Tools (Breathing, Meditation, Mindfulness)

16. Compassion Fatigue and Self Care

 The complete course is 40 hours.  It can be broken into a separate three-day resiliency training and separate two-day training on how to become a peer.

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