Essential knowledge: The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role. These include sufficient knowledge of the areas below to apply to their work in relation to this unit: Importance of self awareness in mental health peer work Intention of purposeful sharing and positive use of lived experience in mental health peer work Historical, social, political and economic contexts of mental health services and mental health consumer and carer movements Philosophical, ethical and values based approaches to peer work International and national developments in consumer and carer peer work History and context of self-directed recovery and recovery principles, facilitation, pathways and practices Impacts and different types of stigma for consumers and carers including self-stigma, individual stigma, community stigma, prejudice and discrimination on the recovery journey Social justice issues, principles and approaches including working from a rights based framework and awareness of the rights and responsibilities of consumer and carers and peer workers Impacts of trauma and the role of the peer workforce in trauma informed care Impacts of mental health systems on consumers and carers Different understandings of mental illness and distress/issues Principles and practices of duty of care as these apply to peer work Self-care strategies and processes, reflection in peer work |