{"id":8977,"date":"2020-11-03T03:55:16","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T03:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=8977"},"modified":"2020-11-03T03:55:16","modified_gmt":"2020-11-03T03:55:16","slug":"service-nsw-staff-to-receive-mental-health-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2020\/11\/03\/service-nsw-staff-to-receive-mental-health-training\/","title":{"rendered":"SERVICE NSW STAFF TO RECEIVE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 3,000-strong legion of Service NSW staff will be trained to respond to customers in distress as the impact of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 continue to take a heavy toll on communities.
\nMinister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the training program, which has been fast-tracked for Service NSW staff following the drought, bushfires and COVID-19, is part of a two-year investment of more than $1 million in suicide prevention training for staff working in systems outside of mental health.
\n\u201cService NSW has been at the forefront of the NSW Government\u2019s response to COVID-19 and this training will help frontline staff to support people in distress in a compassionate and confident manner,\u201d Mrs Taylor said.
\n\u201cThis is about building another layer of support outside of the health system by empowering frontline staff with the confidence and skills to reach out to people who are showing signs of distress as they go about their day-to-day lives.
\n\u201cLike all frontline staff, the people at Service NSW have been doing an incredible job under pressure and this training will also help them recognise the importance of looking after their own mental health and learn ways to improve their mental fitness.\u201d
\nMinister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said this specialised suicide prevention will provide Service NSW team members with useful techniques in de-escalating an immediate situation and referral options for customers who may require more specialised support services.
\n\u201cThis year, Service NSW was enlisted to provide frontline support to citizens affected by the summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d Mr Dominello said.
\n\u201cService NSW staff have demonstrated time and again their ability to show empathy to customers in their time of need. This training will empower the Service NSW team to know what to do and where to go for help when dealing with customers who show signs of anguish and distress.
\n\u201cDuring these conversations, Service NSW staff may sense when someone might be under extraordinary emotional pressure or mental stress and, in that moment, are well-placed to gently suggest ways to seek support.\u201d
\nService NSW employee Courtney Wilks said this training has already made a difference to how she engages with customers.
\n\u201cI feel more confident in managing customers who are angry, distressed or anxious because I know how to help them in that moment and to reassure them that they are not alone.\u201d
\nThe training initiative is part of Towards Zero Suicides, a Premier\u2019s Priority that is delivering an $87 million investment over three years in new suicide prevention initiatives.
\nIf you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:<\/p>\n