Cindy-Lee Dennis, PhD

 

Peer Volunteer Training Manual Table of Contents

Mothers Helping Mothers With Postpartum Depression

  1. Welcome 2
  2. Section I: Introduction 6
    1. The Research Study and Team 8
    2. Organizational Structure and Function 9
    3. Mission Statement and Goals 10
    4. Training Session Agenda 11
    5. How to Use this Manual 12
  3. Section II: The Peer Volunteer Experience 14
    1. What is a Peer Volunteer? 16
    2. Peer Volunteer Qualities 16
    3. Peer Volunteer Skills 16
    4. Peer Volunteer Expectations 17
    5. Peer Volunteer Activity Log 18
    6. Peer Volunteer Role 19
    7. Peer Volunteer Discussion Themes 20
    8. Frequently Asked Questions 21
    9. Peer Volunteer Contact Sheet 22
    10. Peer Volunteer Contract 23
  4. Section III: Providing Peer (Mother-to-Mother) Support 24
    1. Mothers Helping Mothers Model 26
    2. Emotional Support 27
    3. Informational Support 28
    4. Validation/Appraisal Support 29
    5. Benefits of Peer Support 30
  5. Section IV: Getting Connected – Staying Connected: Developing a Relationship with the New Mother 32
    1. Getting Connected 34
    2. Staying Connected 34
    3. Developing a Relationship with the Mother 35
  6. Section V: Skills and Techniques to Effective Telephone Support 38
    1. Empathetic Listening 40
    2. Reflection 41
    3. “Open-Ended” Questions 42
    4. Listening To More Than the Words 43
    5. Problem-Solving and Exploring Options 43
  7. Section VI: Postpartum Depression 44
    1. What is Postpartum Depression? 46
    2. Incidence 46
    3. Postpartum Depression Symptoms 47
    4. Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms 48
    5. Different Presentation of Postpartum Depression 49
    6. Anxiety and Panic 50
    7. What Causes Postpartum Depression? 50
    8. Detection 51
    9. Treatment 51
  8. Section VII: The Three-Step Helping Process 52
    1. The Relationship Between Feelings, Behaviours, and Thoughts 54
    2. The Three-Step Helping Process 55
    3. Step 1. Exploring with the Mother 55
    4. Step 2. Setting Priorities with the Mother 56
    5. Step 3. Preventing/Treating Early Symptoms of Postpartum Depression 56
    6. Common Maternal Difficulties 57
  9. Section VIII: Helping the Mothers with Her Behaviours and Thoughts 58
    1. Increasing Pleasant Activities 60
    2. Relaxing on the Run 61
    3. Understanding and Coping with Stress 61
    4. Promoting Positive Self-Esteem 63
    5. Increasing Positive Thoughts 64
    6. Promoting Self-Care 66
    7. Finding a Babysitter 67
  10. Section IX: Helping Mothers with Her Feelings 68
    1. Assessing the Mother 70
    2. Helping the Mother to Identify Her Feelings 71
    3. Helping the Mother to Explore Her Feelings 71
    4. Helping the Mother Do Emotional Work 72
    5. Sadness 72
    6. Anger 73
    7. Numbness or Absence of Feelings 75
    8. Anxiety 76
    9. Fears 77
    10. Suicidal Feelings 78
    11. Helping the Mother to Develop a Support System 81
  11. Section X: Dispelling the Myths of Motherhood 82
    1. Myths and Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood 84
  12. Section XI: Referral to Professional and Community Services 86
    1. What Constitutes an Emergency 88
    2. When a Mother Needs to be Hospitalized 88
    3. Child Abuse 89
    4. Child Neglect 90
    5. Mothers Experiencing Domestic Violence 91
    6. Vancouver and the Lower Mainland Referral Numbers 93
    7. Additional Possible Referral Sources 94
    8. What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist? 95
    9. What Kind of Mental Health Professional Should a Mother See? 95
    10. What Should a Mother Look for in a Therapist? 96
  13. Section XII: What the Partner Can Do 98
    1. What the Partner Can Do 100
    2. Things I Need From You Right Now 100
    3. Common Partner Issues 101
    4. Common Partner Stressors 101
    5. Survival Tips for Partners 102
  14. Section XIII: Recovery 104
    1. Recovery 106
    2. Stage One 106
    3. Stage Two 106
    4. Stage Three 107
    5. Stage Four 107
    6. Stage Five 108
    7. When to End the Relationship 109
    8. Preventing Relapse 109
  15. Section XIV: Case Studies and Evaluation of the Training Session 112
    1. Case Studies 114
    2. Training Evaluation 118
    3. Training Evaluation Form 120
    4. Peer Volunteer Demographic Form 121

 

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