This manual guides trainers through a one-day training on self-care and staff care for up to approximately 50 participants. 25 male / 25 female. It explains what stress is, what it looks like and what it is caused by. The manual also discusses different strategies in dealing with stress. The training closes with a review of the day and a brief evaluation.
Staff stress management is critical to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), as frontline workers are exposed to trauma, burnout, and secondary stress in regions of high conflict. Supporting staff resilience through individual, team, and organisational stress management is essential, as it enables them to effectively provide care and support to communities in need. Without addressing staff stress, the capacity to deliver quality MHPSS interventions may be compromised, reducing overall community well-being and recovery.
This training-of-trainers (TOT) will equip participants with the skills and background necessary to train community members to better understand stress and its causes and conditions, and to offer tools and strategies to better manage those stressors to support self and staff well-being.
Some participants will have an extensive background in supporting mental health and psychosocial support in their communities, while others will be learning many of these frameworks and skills for the first time. Regardless of the level of familiarity beforehand, this TOT will provide a robust training in how to use the content, processes and supportive materials outlined in this manual competently and effectively.
Participants will also be provided with additional supports (intervision/supervision/refresher trainings/peer support, etc) through which they can continue to deepen their knowledge and skills where needed. The training provides a safe learning environment for participants, taking account of the experiences of stress that participants are likely to bring to the training day.