Learning crisis support can come with tension.
In our training room we’ve heard things like ‘I’m just not sure how much of myself to keep, and how much to leave out‘ and ‘I don’t know if I’ll fit into the role‘ or ‘I feel like I wont be able to change enough in time before I get on the phones‘.
We come across this feeling regularly, the sense of not being sure where the boundaries lay between authenticity and professionalism.
It can feel counter intuitive, being ‘authentic’ and ‘true to yourself’ while holding professional boundaries, navigating collusion, resisting advice giving and more.
One analogy that often resonates with students, easing that tension, goes like this;
Rather than thinking of crisis support and the crisis support framework as something you’re trying to squeeze into, think of it instead as flags on the beach.
The flags don’t change you.
They don’t change who you are.
It’s still you in control of your swimming.
On beaches across the country Surf Lifesaver flags are there as a sign to let you know where in the water is safe to navigate. In crisis support, if you take the conversation beyond the points of the framework you’ve been taught, or any of the process charts, you may find yourself in dangerous territory.
Beyond the practical is also the symbolism of the flags. They’re not just there to show you where to swim, they’re an indication as well. That you’re navigating the waters of a conversation within a wide, rich context with its own history of saving lives.
Millions of phone calls have been taken. Countless hours of expertise and investment have been poured into the system to give you the best chance of keeping yourself and others safe, the best result of which is the processes in place.
If you’ll allow it, the analogy can go a little further too. Because what pulls you out of the space between the flags? What pulls you out of frame and out of crisis support?
Nature.
Like a rip, our own natural tendencies pull us away from the flags of the framework.
If we’re not conscious, if we’re not looking at the flags and aware of our position within the framework, we drift out of crisis support into dangerous waters… Perhaps with collusion or advice giving, or any of the empathic blocks which prevent deep connection.
So whether you’re a new hand or an experienced one, hopefully the flag metaphor can give you a simple way to discuss and share an understanding of a big, broad concept.
You’re not out there on your own. You’ve got the flags of the framework to swim between. You’ve got a team of support behind you, ready to help out if you need it.
This post is written specifically for crisis support and mental health work, if you’d like to read more, click here.
I would really appreciate every stray thought and piece of feedback you have so please do reach out via socials if you’d like to chat.