Chris Hartley & Tara Dias presentation

Becoming the change we wish to see Presenters: Chris Hartley & Tara Dias NSW Consumer Advisory Group-Mental Health Inc© NSW CAG 2011

Presentation Overview •This presentation will be provide an overview of the work of NSW CAG in the area of trauma •Examine the rights of people who have experienced trauma to participate in policy and program responses that directly impact upon them •Provide an overview of some best practice principles and techniques adopted by NSW CAG in conducting consultations with people who have experienced trauma© NSW CAG 2011

NSW Consumer Advisory Group-Mental Health Inc. • NSW Consumer Advisory Group – Mental Health Inc (NSW CAG) is the peak body representing people with a lived experience of mental illness •Started in 1992, only remaining consumer peak body in Australia • Undertakes project and policy work, in which we represent the views of people with mental health consumers to all levels of government© NSW CAG 2011

NSW CAG- Consultations with Consumers© NSW CAG 2011

Case Study ‘Jane’© NSW CAG 2011

Why consult with trauma survivors? • Active involvement of people who have experienced trauma will result in more effective service and policy responses •Participation is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right • Most importantly, it can be an empowering experience for those who participate© NSW CAG 2011

NSW CAG’s training in trauma •Tailored training designed by trauma specialist •Core concepts in working with people from refugee backgrounds (STARTTS) • Development of specific principles around trauma survivors© NSW CAG 2011

Consultation principles Framing the interaction ‘Can we enter into and sustain ethically acceptable relationships with others, or are we always at risk of exploiting or damaging either others or ourselves? Can we simultaneously identify with, and recognise as different from ourselves, the others on whose experiences we draw? Should we seek to empathise with those we interview?’ (Liz Bondi, 2003)© NSW CAG 2011

Consultation principles Consumer choice and control ‘Because trauma survivors often feel unsafe and may actually be in danger (e.g. victims of domestic violence), TIC works towards building the physical and emotional safety for consumers and providers…Because interpersonal trauma often involves boundary violations of trauma and abuse of power, systems that are aware of trauma dynamics should establish clear roles and boundaries that are an outgrowth of collaborative decision-making.’ (Hopper, Bassuk and Olivet, 2010)© NSW CAG 2011

Principles for engaging with trauma survivors Body language ‘I had to learn how read other bodies and places, I had to learn how other bodies read mine and I have worked at re-inscribing the ways in which I presented myself in response.. I had to learn with my interactions with homeless people that I too as an unknown stranger was positioned as a potential physical and emotional threat..I had to learn to present myself as someone safe, accepting and non-judgmental (Catherine Robinson, 2011)© NSW CAG 2011

Principles for engaging with trauma survivors Empathy ‘Something of the inner reality of one person is not only communicated to another person, but is actively incorporated into the inner reality of that person.’ (Liz Bondi, 2003)© NSW CAG 2011

Conclusion • NSW CAG acknowledges the importance of including survivors of trauma in consultation processes and the rights of individuals to participate • Recognise that we won’t always know who is a trauma survivor and aim to adhere to basic principles that create safe environments and are respectful for all participants© NSW CAG 2011

Questions or comments • For more information about NSW CAG please see: www.nswcag.org.au • Contact us on 02 9332 0200 • Email: chartley@nswcag.org.au or tdias@nswcag.org.au© NSW CAG 2011

Chris Hartley & Tara Dias presentation

by mhcc on Aug 10, 2011

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Chris Hartley & Tara Dias presentation — Presentation Transcript