Cochrane has a program to assist those people who dedicate their lives to helping others.
“People who are naturally inclined to be good helpers often forget to look after themselves … and you can’t be a good helper if you don’t look after yourself,” said Elise Kruithof, provincial injury prevention co-ordinator with Alberta Health Services, about the importance of supporting impromptu caregivers.
The workshops, hosted by the town, were initiated in the community last year after a study revealed a need for mental health support.
“People often seek out support from family, friends and co-workers before seeing a professional and it is important to know how to have those kinds of conversations,” explained Sharon MacDonald, Community Helper program co-ordinator.
“A lot of people are in pain and how do they handle that? How do we be there for each other and help steer people to a professional?”
The workshops cover a variety of topics including knowing when people need help, helping those with past traumas, helping in crisis situations, helping in times of grief, suicide prevention, managing stress and self care.
“The program opens up a safe space for natural helpers to support each other and make sure they are not getting burnt out,” said Kruithof.
The Community Helpers program has been running province-wide since 2010 and is currently offered in 18 different communities across Alberta. After offering the program for little more than a year in Cochrane, organizers said the workshops have been great.
“It has been well-received so far, and there are a number of trainees providing support in the community which is fantastic,” Kruithof said.
The goal of the program is to work with community helpers in Cochrane to help develop skills while also introducing natural helpers to the different resources and professionals in the community.
“We need to know how to talk to each other about different subjects,” MacDonald said.
“And often those talks can be intense and draining ... people come in and offer their own concerns and we see people leaving empowered.”
Community Helpers will often also host informal monthly coffee meetings to ensure they have support throughout the year, organizers explained.
Cochrane and area schools are welcome to book workshops with the organizers. The program also offers workshops to trained community helpers who took the previous workshops. Workshops cover topics including mental health, first aid (basic and youth) and suicide prevention skills through Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST).
The two-day Community Helper training workshops will take place on Oct. 12 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bragg Creek Snowbirds Chalet, located at 19 Balsam Ave., Bragg Creek.
The sessions are free but registration is required.
For more information contact Sharon MacDonald, Community Helpers co-ordinator, at 403-851-2955 or by email [email protected]
Skills taught at the two-day workshops
Knowing when people need help
Ethics & Trust
The helping skill
Limits and strategies
Self care
Helping those with past trauma
Helping in crisis situations
Helping in times of grief
Suicide prevention
Managing stress
Community resources
Upcoming Community Helpers workshops
Oct. 12 and 19, at the Bragg Creek Snowbirds Chalet, located at 19 Balsam Ave., Bragg Creek. The two-day workshop starts at 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Nov. 24 – 25, at the FCSS building located at 209 Second Ave. W. The two-day workshop starts at 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
