The next course will commence in July 2012. Register your interest today!

The Telephone Crisis Support Training Course

Telephone crisis support training runs twice a year, and covers a variety of communication and counselling skills, with both theoretical and experiential components.

The 14 module crisis support course is delivered in a combination of face-to-face training and an online component. Training is held on Tuesday nights from 7pm - 10pm. There is a weekend workshop on Applied Suicide Interention Skills Training (ASIST), and a full day training workshop on Domestic Violence and Sexual assault.

Course Fee:

$500 as a Telephone Crisis Support Volunteer (subsidised cost)

$1000 as a Non- Volunteer

After completion of the training, there is a minimum shift requirement of 4 hours per fortnight.

There is also a minimum commitment of at least 1-2 years to the crisis support.

Student counsellor eligibility criteria

• a desire to learn
• an ability to display empathy
• a willingness to respond in an accepting and non-judgmental manner
• a willingness to adhere to Lifeline's Code of Ethics
• minimum age of 21 years

Once on the phones, volunteers support callers with a wide variety of issues, including:

 • Loneliness
 • Relationships
 • Domestic violence
 • Abuse
 • Gambling
 • Drugs and alcohol
 • Mental health
 • Suicide

If you care about people, want to help & are willing to listen - email Megan to receive an information and application pack.

What qualification do Telephone Crisis Support Volunteers recieve?

Lifeline Telephone Crisis Support training is mapped to the Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills CHC42208 nationally accredited course. Successful completion of the pathway will result in a Statement of Attainment for the following units of competency:

• CHCTC301B Deliver a service consistent with the organisation's mission and values
• CHCTC302A Provide client-centred telephone counselling
• CHCTC403A Provide telephone counselling in crisis situations
• CHCTC404A Provide competent suicide intervention in a telephone counselling context
  

Find out more

Lifeline Harbour-to-Hawkesbury has around 160 active volunteer telephone crisis supporters who answer the 13 11 14 Crisis Support line, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our Centre answers more than 21,500 calls each year. With the ever increasing stresses on life situations and higher call rates, there is always a need for more telephone crisis supporters.