Photo By Master Sgt. Michael Stewart | Marcia Richard, director of psychological health at the 141st Air Refueling Wing,...... read more read more
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The 141st Air Refueling Wing conducted Peer-to-Peer team member training April 8 and 9, 2021, at Fairchild Air Force Base. Fifteen Guardsmen participated in the training which covers a wide range of key points like intervention, conflict resolution, substance abuse, suicide prevention and communication skills.
Peer-to Peer provides training with a focus on enhancing communication, being present, listening, supporting someone in distress, and being able to follow through.
“Peer-to-Peer helps provide Guardsmen from all career fields with skills to help friends in need,” said Marcia Richard, the director of psychological health at the 141st ARW. “We have people who are trained in these types of skills, like first sergeants and mental health professionals, but it is everyone’s obligation to be a wingman.”
The Peer-to-Peer team member training program is geared toward shaping Airmen into the future leaders of the Air Force. The program fosters a lifestyle of positive Airmen that are influencing others around them during crisis and or challenges.
“Recent studies have shown that military members are more likely to seek out from peers instead of leadership within the chain of command,” Richard said. “People want to feel comfortable and want to be heard, and Peer-to-Peer provides you with the skills that enable you to show people in need that you see them, you hear them, and you will help them get the help that is needed.”
With the help of facilitators, training focuses on practices and key concept to implement when navigating through difficult situations. Participants are given tools and are better equipped to deal with real life scenarios.
“Peer-to-Peer was amazing,” said Senior Airman Ilea Wilson, training participant from the 141st Force Support Squadron. “Being around different people, personalities, and different ages was a learning experience and being able to see how everyone can be a good wingman was enlightening.”
Richard said reaching out to a peer support team member can be beneficial in many different ways, including overall mental health, peace of mind and wellbeing. It is important to keep in mind that certain scenarios and situations may require mandatory reporting and the peer support team has a legal obligation to report suspected self-harm or abuse.
During the interactive training participants observe and learn principles as well as talking points to help navigate them through challenging situations that may arise in military life, with a concentration on complicated situations like suicide, abuse and other distress.
“Peer-to-Peer training gives team members the tools to help others to have a sense of belonging and this program helps the Peer-to-Peer support team members help others have that sense of belonging,” said Richard. “It helps Airmen recognize some of the signs of distress which is key to suicide prevention.”
The program has an inherent design to not only benefit the military work environment, but it translates to everyday life improving family and work life.
“Peer-to-Peer helped me be more of an active listener but also ask the right questions,” said Wilson. “It was able to help with conflict resolution both inside the military and in my everyday life as a civilian by helping you be a better overall communicator.”
Since the training started in 2011, more than 85 Guardsmen from Fairchild AFB are Peer-to-Peer trained.
“I would highly recommend the course to everyone because it is a way to get other perspectives from military members from different backgrounds,” Wilson said. “We have so many Airmen who are struggling, especially because of this last year and these Airmen need help, they need someone to listen and they need someone to talk to.”
For those wanting information on how to become a Peer-to-Peer support team member, please contact Marcia Richard at 247-7087.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2021 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 395386 |
| Location: | FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE , WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 634 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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