Speak Out OCTOBER 2021 DIGITAL EDITION

FEATURE

Professional support and mental health

Supporting clients Speech pathologists may require resources for identifying and responding to the mental health needs of clients. Supervisors and mentors can engage in professional development that increases their knowledge and skills in this area and share information with the colleagues they support. There are various resources for professionals to upskill in this area, including a three-part series on Youth Mental Health , Speech Pathology in Adult Mental Health , and Supporting children who have experienced trauma . In addition, the SPA and Lifeline Accidental Counsellor course provides speech pathologists, and those who mentor or supervise them, with training in distress identification and response. The RUOK organisation offers resources for talking with people who may be struggling in a variety of personal and professional situations. Importantly, speech pathologists should be aware that Lifeline offer 24/7 crisis support at 13 11 14, and that they should call 000 if someone they encounter is in danger. Supporting ourselves Supervisors and mentors can experience compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma as they support their colleagues. It is critical for those who offer professional support to prioritise their own wellbeing. In a recent online collaborative, the SPA Ethics Team discuss, Why your mental health is an ethical issue . By prioritising their own wellness, mentors and supervisors can improve their mental and emotional resources for supporting others. Importantly, they also help to normalise self-care for other speech pathologists and create opportunities to discuss wellness resources and strategies. Nathan Cornish-Raley Professional Support Advisor

Supervisors and mentors have always had an important role in helping speech pathologists manage issues related to wellbeing. This might include guiding professionals whose clients require mental health supports, as well as supporting the wellness of speech pathologists themselves. For many supervisors and mentors, this role has been amplified in the era of COVID-19 where speech pathologists and those they serve experience increased anxiety and stress. Supporting colleagues In an editorial, Dr Priya Martin and Dr David Snowdon indicated that it is crucial for health workers to be supported in both their work role and their mental health during the pandemic. There is evidence that participation in supervision activities may have a positive effect on the resilience and wellbeing of health workers . However, Martin and Snowdon also suggest that supervision partnerships themselves can experience COVID-19 related stress. The pandemic has required many speech pathologists to manage an increase or change in work duties. They have also experienced an overlap of their personal and professional lives while working from home. In the course of managing these responsibilities, speech pathologists might prioritise them over engaging in professional support. In addition, learning to engage in remote telesupervision can be challenging for some professionals. Practices and organisations may be able to counter these challenges by scheduling regular supervision time for employees. They can ensure that speech pathologists engage with professional support that meets their needs. Practices can also provide resources for upskilling and engaging in telesupervision. Owners and supervisors may find benefit from participating in SPA’s webinar on Supporting employee mental health and Dealing with COVID-19 related stress .

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October 2021 | Speak Out