Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement explains the scope and context of the unit of competency allowing for differences between workplaces. The scope of variables chosen for training and assessment requirements will depend on the particular work situation.

General context of suicide self/harm work:
Mental Health or Psychiatric Disability Support Worker in a community, respite, residential or hospital setting.
Working with suicide and self-harm refers to working with any thoughts or acts which involve deliberate self-harm irrespective of whether death is or was the intended outcome. Since suicidal behaviour can also involve harm to others, managing risks posed to third parties also falls within the scope of this unit.

Factors which help estimate risk include, but are not limited to:
a history of suicide self-harm/attempts affecting self, or family,the presence of a suicide/self-harm plan, suicide/self-harm methods, access to means, prior self-harming suicidal behaviour, strength of current coping resources and available supports.

Identifying and estimating level of risk will Include:
Knowledge of previous attempts.
Identifying the frequency and duration of thoughts
Asking whether they are linked to particular events or experiences
Seeking to understand source of emotional pain and associated thoughts and feelings
General observation of person including body language, affect, level of stress and agitation.
Level of expressed threat to self and others.
Means to undertake suicidal/self-harming behaviour.

Undertaking action required to promote safety includes:
Removing potential means/weapons where possible.
Ensuring safety of others.
Utilising an existing safety plan for the person or negotiating one with them.
Affirming the person and empathising with their level of distress.
Maintaining a calm environment which is open to problem solving.
Accessing emergency personnel as required.
Seeking support/advice from organisational supervisor/coordinator.
Following all emergency procedures and protocols.
Attending to self and others in relation to occupational health and safety in the work place.

Facilitating the individual's links to further care includes:
Establishing with the person their desire for help and what they would consider helpful
Providing information to match the person's needs.
Exploring achievable steps to help the person strengthen their connections, relationships and formal and informal supports.
Supporting the person to determine how and when these supports can be used.

Provision of ongoing supports may include:
Use of effective communication skills to maintain rapport.
Use of strengths based approach to uncover internal and external coping strategies and supports.
Debriefing to third party affected by incident/s.
Identifying underlying significant life issues and supporting the client to seek assistance around these issues eg. feelings of remorse, guilt, sadness, anger, addiction, abuse, trauma, other mental health issues.
Supporting the client to access another service/agency/information.
Documenting work with person to ensure all plans and safeguards are communicated in work team.
Following policy relating to documentation, duty of care, confidentiality, support planning.

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects of assessment, and the essential knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competency in this unit. The Evidence Guide is an integral part of the assessment of competency and it should be read carefully in conjunction with the Range Statement, elements and performance criteria.
Essential knowledge:
Common indicators of risk
Principles of crisis intervention
Policy around critical incidents and duty of care.
Principles and practices of suicide intervention including risk assessment, management and provision of on-going support.
Procedures for obtaining assistance and making referrals to other agencies.
Knowledge of personal values, beliefs and attitudes which may facilitate or impede crisis intervention.
Knowledge about common myths about suicide and self-harm.
Awareness of how other mental health issues may impact upon intervention.
Principles around seeking out self-care and support.
Work effectively in crisis
Strengthen links to life sustaining options.
Commitment to attend to the pain of the person and work towards life affirming outcomes.
Work in accordance with all professional standards, protocols and policies

Essential skills:
Competent communication and counselling skills
Crisis intervention skills
Basic first aid.
Suicide/self-harm recognition, assessment, and management.
Facilitating links with higher levels of care and making referrals.
Self-monitoring and self-care.
Seeking out and integrating supervision and support.

Method of assessment:
Simulations
Case scenarios
Report writing including developing safety plans

Context for assessment:
Workplace or similar environment over a number of occasions