Stories From The Road

Key Questions When Developing Natural Supports

From the Victorian Dept of Human Services in Australia as a part of the Changing Days Project, in  "A Guide To Natural Supports" they ask some important questions when beginning the process of developing natural supports in the community which include:

Preliminary Questions to Ask:

THE INDIVIDUAL-Who is this person? What are their hopes & dreams?
THEIR VALUES-What do they value? Who would they like to spend their time with?
THEIR CHOICE-Their community of choice? Where would they spend their time?
THEIR ASSOCIATIONS-Who are the people currently involved in the person's life?
THE OPPORTUNITIES-What opportunities do they bring? What could be built on?

Motivational Questions to Ask:

HAPPINESS-When is the person at their happiest?
REFLECTIONS-What does the person keep coming back to (talk about, want, enjoy)?
MOTIVATION-What energizes or motivates them?
ATTRACTION-What kinds of people is the person drawn to?
SENSE OF MISSION-What will the person sacrifice to do?
PASSION-What generates energy in the person?
SATISFACTION-What satisfies them?

Personal Questions to Ask:

THEIR ROLE-What is the individual's role in the asking? What is the relationship?
THEIR INTEREST-What are the common interests, passions and concerns of all?
THEIR STARTING POINT-What could be the "stepping stone" to something more?
THEIR EXPECTATIONS-Are the individual's expectations reasonable?
THEIR LOCATION-Where will these relationships be taking place?
THEIR TIMING-Is there time needed for reflection for the other person(s) involved?
THIER CHOICE-Have people been given the permission to say "Yes" or "No"?

This guide offers a good perspective and starting point for Peer Support Specialists as they are beginning to assist the individuals they support in developing meaningful friendships and relationships in the community.

Quick Tips When Giving Your Recovery Story

 

These are tips from the Mary Copeland WRAP training given by Dr. Ken Baiteman as strategies when giving your recovery story which include:

1. DON'T BE NERVOUS ABOUT BEING NERVOUS-challenge the negative thoughts; talk it out
2. LIGHTEN UP-it's OK to make mistakes; laugh it off with the audience
3. BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS- don't go on-and-on; don't apologize
4. GET PLENTY OF SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE-an alert and clear mind is worth the sleep
5. TAKE A FEW DEEP BREATHS BEFORE YOU START-take your time
6. MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH FRIENDLY FACES-try to begin talking to friends and supporters
7. BASIC SELF-CARE HELPS-make sure pants are zipped; hair is combed, clothes are clean
8. BE PREPARED-have your key points down; go over a few times night before
9. PACE YOURSELF-make your key points before the time runs out; have someone signal you
10. DON'T BE SELF-CONCIOUS TO USE CARDS-stay on task; keeps you from wandering
11. IF USING POWERPOINT-don't overload with stats; not too many visuals or info
12. AVOID JARGON-don't talk over folks heads; use words most know and use
13. GET AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION-ask questions; get folks involved
14. GIVE NOTECARDS OUT-to keep questions and comments until the end
15. GET FEEDBACK FROM THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOU-be willing to get honest feedback
16. ENLIST FRIENDS-ask those who know & support you to attend; friendly faces help
17. KNOW IT GETS EASIER WITH TIME-enjoy the process; know in time comes maturity

 Enjoy this experience. Your recovery story can be one of the most powerful tools to assist others towards their own wellness. You will find a worksheet in developing your recovery story from Magellan Health Systems & DBSA in the link below.

(Summarized from "Telling Your Recovery Story: Giving Meaning and Purpose to Your Pain by Using It to Help Someone" by Ken Braiterman)

Download How To Write My Recovery Story

 

 

Quick Tips In How to Develop Natural Supports In the Community

1. KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL-find out their interests, likes and dislikes; get info from existing natural supports
2. ENCOURAGE FREQUENT COMMUNICATIONS-determine communication abilities; network to identify interests
3. PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE-this is a slow, tedious, ongoing process; continue to network, attend, identify
4. FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD-learn the neighborhood; spend time getting to know those in it
5. DEVELOP ALLIES IN THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE-identify those willing to go to bat; those who open doors
6. ADVOCATE-specifically ask that group, club, community to include the person
7. STUDY THE CUES-monitor how much & how long to assist; watch relationships take root; gradually fade
8. BE A REGULAR PERSON-don't be professional; don't hog the mike; gently nudge them on stage
9. FIND OTHER GROUPS-continually seek to do all the above in other settings in the community

Stick with it. Remember, you are trying to begin the process of recovery. You are seeking to assist them to move forward towards wellness. There will come a day when they leave us behind. Assuming full ownership and responsibility in their recovery...self-directed. A glorious day that will be.

(Summarized from the Dept of Developmental Services & Supports Section in Sacramento, CA in their publication "Natural Supports: They're All Around You" )

Link To Article

 

 

 

Recovery Pathways: 15 Steps Towards Greater Self-Advocacy

 

One the important recovery pathways is self-advocacy. Finding your own voice and supporting others to find their own is both a challenge and a joy to see people becoming empowered in self-discovery and articulating their needs and the issues that matter to them and those they love.

 

 

I have listed 15 important steps in becoming a better advocate for yourself and for those that you support:

1. Know yourself-your strengths, your weaknesses and your tendencies
2. Educate yourself and know your rights
3. Learn how to better communicate your needs and negotiate win-win solutions
4. If you are experiencing difficulty, try writing down your thoughts ahead of time
5. Be civil-stay calm, cool and collected when speaking to others
6. Learn how to navigate the system & find the people to assist you in getting what you need
7. Learn how to partner with others who can assist you and find a role model
8. Express gratitude to those who help you along the way
9. Promote collaboration and a team spirit in finding solutions
10. Plan the future-Have your goals in mind; Know what's success; Look for outside help if needed
11. Be patient with the process
12. Expect resistance and setbacks
13. Build your self-esteem and learn not to take things personally
14. Get training in developing your self-advocacy skills
15. Have no fear-the most rewarding things in life are usually the most difficult; press on

Discovering your voice and assisting others in expressing their needs in civil and persuasive ways are powerful skills that are important in assisting you and others on their road to recovery.

 

12 Simple Ways To Show Appreciation To Peers On Your Team

 

1. A simple, sincere word of thanks
2. Post a note on their door
3. Create a simple "ABCD" card that given when a peer goes  "Above the Call of Duty"
4. Write about them in a company-wide email
5. Have the team sign a "Certificate of Appreciation" and frame it
6. Elect and post them to the "Wall of Fame"
7. Establish a "Rock Solid Award" to recognize peers who consistently do their job well
8. Start a company scrapbook highlighting different peers you're appreciating
9. Make a YouTube thank you video
10. Send a post card
11. Have team give a standing ovation
12. Bring them a cup of coffee or their favorite beverage

 

Quick Tips: 9 Simple Ways to Encourage Someone

 

Quick Tips On Becoming An Effective Advocate

• BE A SELF-ADVOCATE: Know your wants, hopes and dreams; start expressing them
• BE AN ADVOCATE FOR SOMEONE ELSE: Know their wants, hopes and dreams; start expressing them
• INVITE AN ALLY: Partner with someone; who can listen, clarify, and motivate you 
• MAKE A PLAN: Ask ?'s; Who will I speak to or make a request?; Rehearse & execute
• INCLUDE THE PERSON: Keep the individual at the center of your thinking and planning
• PREPARE YOURSELF: Daily practice mindfulness, kindness and civility in all interactions
• KNOW THE PLAYERS: Learn the decision-makers; Show respect & thoughtfulness; See both sides of the issue
• USE QUESTIONS EFFECTIVELY: Prepare a list; Be curious; Invite discussion; Avoid being polarizing
• FOCUS ON THE PERSON: Remind yourself often-this is about someone's life, hopes and dreams
• FOSTER PARTICIPATION: Seek how to enhance a person's participation in all facets of life
• KEEP A WRITTEN RECORD: Document your requests; your decisions; your understanding
• CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES: Be selective what issues you pursue; reflect and prioritize

Summarizing Mark Sweet's Article "Becoming an Effective Advocate"--See Full Article

Quick Tips In Developing Natural Supports In the Community

1. KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL-find out their interests, likes and dislikes; get info from existing natural supports
2. ENCOURAGE FREQUENT COMMUNICATIONS-determine communication abilities; network to identify interests
3. PERSISTENCE, PERSISTENCE-this is a slow, tedious, ongoing process; continue to network, attend, identify
4. FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD-learn the neighborhood; spend time getting to know those in it
5. DEVELOP ALLIES IN THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE-identify those willing to go to bat; those who open doors
6. ADVOCATE-specifically ask that group, club, community to include the person
7. STUDY THE CUES-monitor how much & how long to assist; watch relationships take root; gradually fade
8. BE A REGULAR PERSON-don't be professional; don't hog the mike; gently nudge them on stage
9. FIND OTHER GROUPS-continually seek to do all the above in other settings in the community

Stick with it. Remember, you are trying to begin the process of recovery. You are seeking to assist them to move forward towards wellness. There will come a day when they leave us behind. Assuming full ownership and responsibility in their recovery...self-directed. A glorious day that will be.

(Summarized from the Dept of Developmental Services & Supports Section in Sacramento, CA in their publication "Natural Supports: They're All Around You" )

Link To Article

 

The 10 Tools To Living Your Life Well

 

 

Mental Health America offers these proven tools can help you feel stronger and more hopeful. 

Click on each link below to specific pages that offer specific, easy-to-follow tips:

1. Connect with others
2. Stay positive
3. Get physically active
4. Help others
5. Get enough sleep
6. Create joy and satisfaction
7. Eat well
8. Take care of your spirit
9. Deal better with hard times
10. Get professional help if you need it

 

Passing The Baton: What To Do When You Leave Your Job?

 

I am transitioning away from my current job into a different department so I am in a situation where I am having to disclose to the people that I support that I will be transitioning away. 

I thought that I would take a few moments and provide some quick tips for your exit strategy:

1. Talk over your exit strategy and “departure script” with your supervisor and team
2. Write out and rehearse the essence of what it is you are trying to say
3. Go over the history and needs of each participant with the other team members
4. Plan each encounter and the timing of sharing this information with each participant
5. Share as early & often as needed and express the continuity of care they’ll receive
6. Arrange the number of meetings you feel that you and your team member should visit
7. Explain the reasons for leaving in a way that they can understand without fear
8. Explain that nothing in their world is changing now except your level of involvement
9. Make sure each participant has the names & contact numbers of important people
10. Keep everything on a positive and upbeat note and finish strong.

It is important if you are working with people with mental health challenges  (or basically anyone in your life) that you have a transition plan in place to maintain trust, to minimize fear and to ensure a continuity of care once you have transitioned away. 

It's all about finishing strong and making sure everyone is well-supported when the baton is passed.