Peer Support Awareness Training now available to support your wellbeing

Did you know that CFA volunteer and corporate peers can attend your brigade or team meeting?  

Peers are available to talk to members about the Peer Support Program, how to maintain positive mental health and personal resilience as well as recognise the signs of any issues in themselves and others. 

Prioritising mental health and wellbeing is crucial for anyone working in emergency services.  

However, when we think about the fire season, our focus is often on the physical preparation we need to complete and the operational challenges that may lie ahead, not on whether we feel mentally ready to face the additional challenges, stress and trauma of the fire season. 

There is a lot we can do to look after ourselves and others mentally, and ensure we can make good decisions under pressure, communicate effectively and work together to assist our communities with strength and empathy. 

There are three awareness sessions that can be delivered by our Peer teams:  

1. Introduction to the CFA Peer Support Program (30 minutes) 

This is the introductory session to raise awareness of the Peer Support Program. It provides an overview of the Peer Support Program, including what sort of work peers do and how to access the service.  

Session topics:  

• Your Peer Coordinator and how to get in contact with them  

• When Peer Support can be activated and what support Peers can offer support to CFA members and their families  

• The basics of Psychological First Aid 

2. Checking in with your mates, fellow members and family (45 minutes) 

This session builds on the content of the first session and is designed to support members and their families to check in with others when they are concerned.  

Note: This session also complements the eLearn and facilitated workshops available through the Mental Health Literacy Program.  

Session topics:  

• Common triggers that might negatively impact a person’s wellbeing – both personal and in the context of their role within CFA  

• The mental health continuum and common signs/symptoms experienced when a person is in a state of “Healthy”, “Reacting”, “Injured” or “Ill”  

• Being comfortable identifying changes in a person’s behaviour, which may indicate they are having difficulties  

• How to initiate a conversation with someone by following the five-step guide  

• How to recognise the importance of managing your own wellbeing before supporting others. 

3. You and the CFA Purple Bag (60 minutes) 

This session is designed to be delivered after the first two sessions or if there is already a high level of understanding of CFA’s wellbeing services. It is designed to provide brigades and teams with additional tools to use when exposed to a potentially traumatic event, including the CFA Purple Bag. 

Session topics: 

• How and when the CFA Purple Bag can be used by members to look after themselves or support others during and after an incident 

• The stress response and how it can impact a person’s wellbeing and their capacity to assist during an incident and after 

• Other self-management strategies to implement during and after an incident, including tactical breathing, controlling your senses and positive self-talk 

• Broader strategies to consider before and after an incident. 

Sessions can be booked individually, or you may choose to run two concurrently as a larger session. To book a session for your brigade or team visit Members Online. 

These sessions complement the release of a suite of new training in mental health literacy which includes two online modules: Mind Matters: Psychological Health and Safety, and Leading for Wellbeing, and six face-to-face workshops. 

To find out more about the range of services available and to access CFA’s Wellbeing Support visit the Wellbeing Hub.