Guidelines for Peer Support Training

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Peer support team members are trained in specific knowledge areas such as active listening, confidentiality, suicide prevention, chemical dependency behaviors, signs & symptoms of PTSD, basic wellness, and positive relationship-building.

Basic psychological first aid from a trained peer can provide trusted communication, encouragement, and an increased understanding of the emotional impact of critical incidents and traumatic events. When needed, peer support team members can provide colleagues with resources and referrals for a higher level of support before a psychological illness may become career-ending.

• View peer support practice guidelines
• View these guidelines for practice of peer support and for peer support training as one page
• Return to peer support standards and training topic page

Table of contents:

Definitions
Training programs
Training requirements
Training model
Initial training/ vendor selection
Continuing education
Training topics/ sub-topic

Guidelines for peer support training

Definitions

1. Peer support program (PSP): A peer support program is a worker-centric resource that can augment, but not replace, existing programs such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and/or internal or external professional psychological services.
2. Peer support team (PST): The peer support team (PST) is made up of specially trained and recognized peer support counselors (see below) and functions as a formal peer-lead support system and resource guide for their fellow first responders. The PST provides support to their co-workers and adjacent first responders who are experiencing personal and/or work-related stressors. It also provides support during and following critical or traumatic incidents.
3. Peer support counselor (PSC): A peer support counselor is a specially trained coworker, not a professional counselor or therapist. Peer support counselors are trained to recognize the limits of their role and refer coworkers as appropriate to a higher level of support, intervention, or care.

Training programs

Initial peer support training programs must comply with Minn. Stat. § 181.9731, in order to allow for an acceptable level of privileged communication within a PST.

Training requirements

Continuing education may be via an accredited trainer or vendor, may be focused around a support industry or specialty group, and may comply with Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Board education standards.

Training should be at a minimum of 16 hours initially. Continuing education training is also suggested quarterly, at a minimum of four hours per quarter. Peer support training should focus on skill development, resource education, networking, and problem solving.

A PST must be trained in specific knowledge areas, including how each directly applies to peer support. Initial and annual training should cover, at minimum, the following topics:

1. Confidentiality/ privacy/ privilege.
2. Suicide.
3. Chemical dependency.
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
5. Concept of psychological first aid.
6. Relationships.
7. Basic wellness.
8. Behavioral health.

Training model

Training programs should utilize the “Teach – Demonstrate /Practice – Process” model when applicable. Some education will not fit this model.

1. Teaching a topic, skill or tool.
2. Demonstrate or practice utilizing the topic, skill or tool as a PST.
3. Processing as a team after the demonstration.

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Initial training/ vendor selection

Initial peer support training providers should:

1. Be accredited as defined in Minn. Stat. 181.9731.
2. Be recognized by the commissioner of public safety.
3. Have emergency service professional cultural competency training.
4. Have a history of working with emergency service groups
5. Meet MN POST Board standards with educational curriculum.

Continuing education

Continuing education training vendors should:

1. Have emergency service cultural competency training.
2. Have a history of working with emergency service groups.
3. Strive to meet MN POST Board standards with educational curriculum.
4. Be applicable to emergency service wellness and mental health with an emphasis on peer support.

Training topics/ sub-topics

The following are topic ideas that PSTs can use for continued education:

Be a Peer
When to seek licensed mental health consultation
Referral information
Organizational stress
Cultural competence, diversity, and bias awareness
Roles and responsibilities

Trustworthy
Culture and trust
Confidentiality, Privacy and Privilege
Role Conflict
Role and boundaries
Limits and Liabilities
Ethics

Responsive
Communication
Active listening skills
Problem Assessment
Critical incident stress management
Dependency and abuse (alcohol, substance, gambling, etc.)
Relationship and family issues
Local state and national resources
Organizational stress
Wellness and self-care

Skilled
Communication
Active Listening skills
Problem Assessment
Problem solving/ scenarios
Psychological Symptoms
Medical conditions vs psychiatric disorders
Stress management
Resiliency
Burnout
Grief Management
Domestic Violence
Medical issues with psychological or lifestyle impact
Crisis management intervention
Critical incident stress management
Dependency and abuse (alcohol, substance, gambling, etc.)
When to seek licensed mental health consultation
Referral information
Relationship and family issues
Local, state and national resources
Veteran and military support
Organizational stress
Wellness and self-care
Physical wellness
Financial wellness
Spiritual wellness
Social Health and relationships
Chaplaincy and peer support

Personal Wellness
Stress Management
Resiliency
Burnout
Compassion Fatigue
Critical incident stress management
Relationship and family issues
Organizational stress
Wellness and self care

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