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2011 - Aboriginal Group
The Aboriginal People Healing Through the Map Project (referred to from here on as 'the Project') focuses on the delivery of The Map of Loss workshops to Aboriginal people within their communities, and to Aboriginal health workers and other health professionals who work within Aboriginal communities. The project was delivered in the South West, Great Southern and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. The 'ultimate difference' to which the project was intended to contribute was the building of the capacity of Aboriginal communities to recognise and respond appropriately to Aboriginal people at risk of suicide. The key means by which this project would contribute to this ultimate goal was by providing Aboriginal people and their communities with opportunities to experience healing through the delivery of the Map of Loss group workshops.
The Map of Loss is a simple, practical visual tool that develops coping skills, builds resilience, helps increase self-awareness and promotes self-care in those who apply it. It has been the subject of four independent evaluations and a doctoral thesis, and has been used for over a decade in such programs as the Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative in Peel and the South West District (Snyder, 2011). Research findings indicate that The Map of Loss:
- is adaptable and useful across a broad range of populations, sectors, and settings;
- has provided positive, transforming experiences in several areas of application;
- facilitates the integration of knowledge, skills and abilities;
- offers opportunities for participants to create effective change;
- helps participants recognise and appreciate the connections between and consequences of their thought and behaviours patterns for themselves, each other, and their communities; and,
- enables people to consider ways of moving forward with renewed hope and vision for the future (Jackson, 2007).
The Map of Loss workshops focus on the total person - on body, mind, spirit and culture, which is why the Map is assumed to be particularly effective in Aboriginal communities.
Rebecca Cotton 2011
2009 - People With Mental Illness
The initial aims of the workshops were met with most participants reporting developing an awareness of emotions, learning positive coping strategies and awareness of support groups and education and employment opportunities. Friendships have been developed and the members of the group continue to meet informally.
The attendance and completion rate of the workshops was high. It is significant to note that there were no reported decompensations of illness or relapse issues from participants, clinicians or case managers during the workshops, which certainly evolved into explorations of in-depth past and current emotional issues, trauma and losses, some of which had not been previously disclosed. These workshops therefore provided a safe space, the understanding, support and therapeutic process required to work through and manage certain past and current emotional issues.
Concerns from some clinicians in the past have been in relation to 'opening a can of worms' for participants in therapeutic group work and that participants may 'fall apart' and require extra counselling/support. There is a sense in this group that the 'can is already open' and whatever 'strategies learned to cope' will only help in the recovery journey - in a very positive way.
Paula Edwards 2009
2009 - Capacity Building in Health Professionals
Executive Summary
The Map of Loss is a tool through which to understand and address mental health issues. The Compass is a tool for understanding individuals, the world around us and the interactions and relationships between the two.
This training is being delivered in a two day format with the option of attending another day for theory and applications of the model dependant on orginisational need.
The models provide professional development and capacity building opportunities to health professionals, along with skills to engage with consumers and communities on mental health issues. The focus of these training workshops has been on developing professionals' capacity for self care and wellbeing to better support health professionals working in rural WA.
The workshops have attracted a broad range of stakeholders. Those participating have included Aboriginal workers from the community drug service team and the Aboriginal healing project in Bunbury. Other participants have included School Psychologists and Chaplains, youth workers, disability service workers, mental health workers, staff from counselling support services, teachers and community service program managers.
All participants have gained inspiration and techniques for continuing their self-care. The skills gained in the training will assist health professionals and other individuals in their day-to-day work, personally and professionally and also provides them with a model for working effectively with their respective client base.
The models provide people with skills and techniques that are simple, inclusive and integrative. Health professionals around the country would benefit from the self-care aspects, along with the benefits of having a simple and highly effective model for working with the client base. Both the Map and Compass models have applications that would provide significant benefits for individuals, workplaces, businesses and communities.
Workshop Satisfaction Ratings
Experience The Map Workshops
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Presentation
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Organisation
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Content
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Relevance to me
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Relevance to self-care
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% Rated 8 +
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92%
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95%
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95%
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89%
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95%
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Average
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9.3
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9.4
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9.4
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9.0
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9.6
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(Please circle one: 1 being poor - 10 being excellent)
Theory and Applications (Includes Master Class)
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Presentation
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Organisation
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Content
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Relevance to me
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Relevance to self-care
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% Rated 8 +
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98%
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94%
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98%
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96%
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96%
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Average
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9.5
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9.3
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9.5
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9.4
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9.4
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(Please circle one: 1 being poor - 10 being excellent)
Connect Your Compass Workshops
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Presentation
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Organisation
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Content
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Relevance to me
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Relevance to self-care
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% Rated 8 +
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92%
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93%
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97%
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92%
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95%
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Average
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9.3
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9.3
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9.4
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9.4
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9.6
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(Please circle one: 1 being poor - 10 being excellent)
Contact: Deborah Costello, Chief Executive Officer, ICCWA 2009
2004-2006 - People With Mental Health Issues
Over three years I worked with Mercycare running an annual program with collaboration with two other professionals, with people who could no longer work due to mental health problems. The evaluation was not published, but a pre-test and post-test on functionality was undertaken on each participant. Functionality included drug and alcohol use, social measures, involvement in family/friends/work, lifestyle changes etc. For participants that completed the 13 week program (5 weeks were of 'the map', 3 weeks on journal writing and 5 weeks on the Heroe's journey) 90 - 95% of them improved functionality across the board. The drop out rate was about 20%.
Roslyn Snyder 2011
2004-2006 - Young men 'at risk'
Over three years I worked with Hills Community Care Support Group, to run a work readiness program with young men who had the following risk factors, Aboriginality, incarceration, alcohol, drugs, violence, homelessness, most had all the risk factors. This program won the Prime Minister's Award for Community/business partnership. This has been documented in Beth Jackson's thesis.
Roslyn Snyder 2011
2000 - Book Review
Journey to the Centre of your Life - The Map
"Whether we face the challenges of change, or teach other people about how to respond to them, we will find here the nearest thing available to a handbook for life."
Professor Michael Clinton, Director, Centre for Nursing Research and Development, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia for Australian and New Zealand Journal of Mental Health Nursing Volume 9, Number 3, Spetember 2000
2000 - Youth for Life
This holistic non-judgemental approach meant that a number of 'high-risk' young people were able to be assisted - many with aggressive coping styles, criminal offending, low educational attainment, lack of personal support services, confusion over cultural identity, trauma, and depression and alienation.
Maria Harries and Paul Murphy, The Department of Social Work and Social Policy, The University of Western Australia July 2000
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