3-30-13
Outreach Team Training: We Save Lives Part 1: The Innards of DBSA DBSA San Diego is a 501c3 non-profit under a group exemption from the national DBSA. We have been in existence for 21 years and currently run 6 support group sites/locations: San Diego (La Jolla VA), El Cajon, Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos, Del Mar, and Family & Friends of Teens (El Cajon) The other DBSA groups in town are NOT part of DBSA San Diego. They are independent. We offer the only weekly friends & family group in the county. We are all-volunteer and are funded through donations, passing the bag, a fiscal partnership and one grant. DBSA San Diego (La Jolla location) serves approximately 4000 people (people equals butts-in-seats not individuals) per year. Facilitators are NOT therapists or counselors but peers. We are officially trained. We are advised by Drs. John Kelsoe, Colin Depp and Eric Raimo. Well-kept secrets:
We offer emergency bus pass and food help to regular attendees. We sign off on court-ordered group attendance. Our Give Back program allows group members to harness the power of the organization to help each other or others in the community.
Part 2: Outreach What is outreach? Outreach is all of the activities whose main purpose are promoting DBSA San Diego. Why do we do outreach? To get the word out.
What is our target audience? It depends on the event – consumers, family & friends, the general public, students, therapists, doctors, professionals, churches. What types of events do we do? Walks, resource fairs, college health fairs, mental health conferences, PERT Academies and private speaking engagements. What role does the Outreach Team play? The Outreach Team is the title for the group of people who work resource tables at the various events. You are the face of DBSA San Diego. You are what the public associates us with and from whom them get the most important information. If they like and feel comfortable with you, they will have a good impression of DBSA. If they see you as unprofessional or lacking important information or experience they will usually bypass us altogether. When does outreach happen? There are two outreach seasons – Spring & Fall (April/May and October/November). Most event will occur during these months, although there are a few that happen in between. Will I get to work all the outreach events? No. Some events are open to everyone to work. Others are by invitation only. What are the most important parts of my job? 1) Attitude – positive, uplifting yet realistic 2) Information – knowing your stuff Will I get paid? No. However, you will get in free to whatever event you are working and you may get lunch.
Part 3: The Guts What do I wear? Event-appropriate attire = Fit in Walk: Comfy clothes, nothing offensive or suggestive, bring a jacket
College: Conference:
Casual clothes, nothing offensive or suggestive Business casual, nice shoes, (sometimes a blazer), bring a jacket
What do I say or do? Welcome:
This is a short phrase or open-ended question from you acknowledging the person at the table. Examples: Are you familiar with DBSA? So, what brings you to the walk today? Welcome. :) Everything on the table is free. Take whatever you’d like. Would you like a bag?
Follow-up:
We are/offer peer led support groups for people with mood disorders and their family & friends.
Expand:
(if appropriate) We also have social events (give an example), a lecture series, library, outreach, a FB group, Yahoo group, etc.
Answer:
Answer any questions the person may have about DBSA
Extras:
If you are at a conference or business event, offer people the opportunity to join our Providers Email List (1-2 emails per month) or to request a Resource CD (write address on sign-up sheet)
Note – Pay attention to what’s going on around you at all times. Watch body language. Make eye contact. Look interested. Where do I put my stuff? Put your belongings under the table or under your chair. Do NOT put your drink on any of the papers. What’s on the table? Handouts about DBSA San Diego, the Mid-County OCD Support Group, Family & Friends, Family & Friends of teens, relaxation, medication, crisis resources, self-esteem, children & mood disorders, treatment technologies, how to help family members, myths & facts about mental illness, problem solving, relationship boundaries, the mood pyramid, business cards and more!
Can I talk/text on my cell phone? You may use your phone during downtime. Please step away from the table when taking or making a call. Can I smoke at an event? We would prefer that you don’t. If you must, smoke in designated areas. What will they ask? See “Key Questions/Statements” below How am I supposed to know all this stuff? You will learn it through practice/experience and by personal research. What if I don’t know the answer to a question? Tell them you don’t know, but you know someone who does (if you do) or refer them to an organization that knows or give them Michelle’s card to email. What if I get overwhelmed? It’s okay. You will. Take a break.
Part 4: Key Questions/Statements: How much does it cost? Groups are free. We do pass the bag but you don’t have to put anything in it. What insurance do you take? Our groups are free. We do not accept any insurance. Do I need a referral? No. How do I sign up? There is no need to sign up. Just show up. What are the age limits?
We are a support group primarily for adults. We do not accept children. We DO accept teenagers. Rule of thumb – we accept anyone with a mental illness who is old enough to understand what’s going on, behave appropriately, and participate. If I can’t find a sitter, can I bring my child to group? No. It is distracting and the topics discussed are not appropriate for children. I don’t have a mental illness. That’s ok. We have stuff on relaxation, stress-management, self-esteem. You are welcome to anything. You can also take things for a friend or relative. …Yeah, I went to your group. I didn’t like it. I’m sorry to hear that. Did you find something you like better? What if my family member doesn’t want to come? That’s okay. You can come with or without them. (refer them to Family & Friends) How do I get my family member/friend to get help? Offer ideas (leave literature around the house, etc.) Remind that our wellness is up to us when we’re ready. Sometimes just having someone around who is supportive and listens helps more than forced treatment. When dealing with schizophrenia or psychosis, it is often helpful to work with the illness instead of against it. Questions about self-harm DO NOT talk about methods of self-harm or discuss behavior in detail. Give accurate information about self-harm if you know about it. We DO accept people who self-harm. Our groups are a safe place to talk about it. Refer them to DBT resources. Questions about suicide DO NOT discuss methods of suicide or details. If a person is actively suicidal, find someone who can help – representative from Mesa Vista, SOSL, NAMI, etc. If not, and you feel comfortable doing so, just talk it out like in group. It’s okay to feel like killing yourself. We really hope they don’t. Refer to crisis info. DO NOT take a stranger anywhere in your car.
Are you mandated reporters? No. We are peers. …But I don’t have a diagnosis We don’t require a diagnosis to attend groups. Where are you guys located? Refer to County List What medication should I take? That is between you and your doctor. We all take different meds. Some don’t take any at all. I don’t want to take meds/I don’t need meds. That’s okay. You are still welcome at group. Can you send someone to my office to talk about DBSA/mental illness? Yes. Refer to Michelle. What are the 1 or 2 most important papers I should take? County List Can I have one of everything? Yes Can I have more than one? Usually. They may not take a whole stack or more than 2 or 3 of the booklets. If they need a lot for a specific outreach reason, contact Michelle. Can I volunteer? Currently, we do not have any volunteer positions open to non-members. Can I observe? Certainly. We allow students and professionals to observe at any time. Students must RSVP in advance and fill out a survey after. We allow no more than 4 students per night.
Observers also must respect the confidentiality of the group and agree that for they are attending as observers, not mandated reporters.
Part 5: Things to Remember **Remember where you are and what you’re doing – especially at a conference. When you work outreach, you are a representative of DBSA. People will assume you work for DBSA and that’s okay. Sometimes it works to your advantage. At a conference, you may be mistaken for a therapist. Roll with it. Do NOT share your diagnosis or consumer status unless it’s relevant. Some professionals will be okay with it but with most you will lose all credibility. Stigma is alive and well. The power is in your name badge. At all events:
Do NOT leave the table unattended. Stick with the group guidelines when interacting with people. Use language appropriate to the event setting. (consumer/client) This is about them, not you. Use your personal story and experience with DBSA, if you want, to share its impact, how it’s helped you. Be short-winded. Follow your instinct. If you don’t know, DON’T GUESS. DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR PRESCRIBE. It is okay to suggest that a description sounds like a particular diagnosis, but ALWAYS follow it up with the fact that only a doctor can decide that. Get acquainted with the handouts on our table, resources in San Diego and other organizations, especially with key people in them. If you get overwhelmed or cranky, take a break. Outreach can be but is not always fun. You may never know why you were there that day, but you are saving lives. This may be the only chance someone has ever heard that it’s okay to be just the way they are, that we get them, we accept them. They are not alone.
Part 6: Tips Network, Network, Network – at each event, especially your first, visit the other tables and meet the outreach staff. Introduce yourself as part of the DBSA outreach team. These are the people you will be referring people to. Know the Info – Take time to read through or at least glance over everything on our table so you know what we have and aren’t searching when someone asks for something. Be Genuine – Your only job during outreach is to attend to the people in front of you. There is no financial reward. Do it because you love it. You will come across resources you never knew existed. Relax – Take a deep breath, half smile. You got this. Be confident but not smug. You’re saving lives. :) After all, you may be the only support these people ever get. If you are secure in yourself they will know that they can be.
