Dive Buddy Program
Roles and Responsibilities
The Dive Buddy (DB) system is a cornerstone of the Suicide Quick Reaction Force (SQRF) mission, designed to provide structured, peer-to-peer support among warriors. The roles and responsibilities of Dive Buddies are critical to ensuring the mental and physical well-being of team members, fostering resilience, and preventing suicide. No on made it through their past challenges alone!
Dive Buddy Program
Overview
Introduction: The Dive Buddy System
Welcome to the suck! The urge to quit in the face of adversity is a part of the human condition. Everyone has such temptations. You’re no different. You may think yourself super-human, but you’re not. What you are is someone who has mastered the art of controlling your most basic human responses to threats – and not quitting. When you were freezing cold and couldn’t feel your limbs – you didn’t quit. When you first stared into the darkness of night for the first time, amid the deafening thunder of the wind rushing past the door, only morons or liars weren’t terrified to jump – but you didn’t quit. Pinned down, upside down, at the bottom of the pool, when every inch of your body screamed to break the straps and race to the top – you didn’t quit. Thousands of miles from home and loved ones, exhausted, hungry and the target of enemies determined to kill you – you didn’t quit. Ask yourself why you didn’t quit. What drove you? Where did that source of determination come from?
Dive Buddy Program
Roles & Responsibilities
1. Check-Ins
- Scheduled Check-Ins: Dive Buddies must conduct at least one scheduled check-in per week. These check-ins should be done face-to-face whenever possible or via secure communication channels if necessary. The primary purpose of these check-ins is to discuss each other’s mental, physical, and emotional states, review the Resilience Creed, and address any emerging issues. Documenting each check-in with a brief summary is essential, noting any areas of concern or positive developments. This routine fosters a consistent support system and ensures ongoing communication. Sound like a job? It is!
Impromptu Check-Ins: Besides the scheduled check-ins, Dive Buddies should perform impromptu check-ins as needed, based on observations or intuition. These check-ins are informal and spontaneous, providing immediate support and intervention if signs of distress are noticed. Flexibility in this approach allows Dive Buddies to adapt to the changing needs of their partners, ensuring continuous support.
2. Accountability
- Resilience Creed Adherence: Dive Buddies are responsible for regularly reinforcing each other’s commitment to the Resilience Creed. This involves continuously assessing adherence to the Creed’s principles and values, providing constructive feedback, and offering positive reinforcement. Maintaining integrity in these interactions ensures that both Dive Buddies remain aligned with the core values of the SQRF mission.
Mission Values: Ensuring actions and behaviors align with mission values is another critical responsibility. Dive Buddies should periodically evaluate each other’s commitment to these values, offering guidance and support to maintain alignment. This process helps foster a culture of accountability and integrity, which is essential for the success of the SQRF mission.
3. Support
- Emotional Support: Dive Buddies must be capable of actively listening to their partners’ concerns and emotions without judgment. Demonstrating empathy and understanding is crucial, as is providing encouragement and motivational support. This emotional support helps build trust and fosters a supportive environment where individuals feel safe to express their feelings.
- Practical Support: In addition to emotional support, Dive Buddies should assist each other in accessing mental health resources, such as counseling or therapy. Helping with problem-solving and decision-making is also important, as is being prepared to intervene in crisis situations. By providing practical support, Dive Buddies can help each other navigate challenging times more effectively.
4. Observation
- Behavioral Vigilance: Dive Buddies must remain vigilant for signs of distress, such as withdrawal, changes in behavior, or mood swings. Immediate action should be taken if concerning signs are observed, ensuring that any potential issues are addressed promptly. Keeping detailed records of observations and actions taken is essential for tracking progress and identifying patterns.
Intervention: Quick assessment of the severity of any concerning situation is critical. Dive Buddies should implement appropriate response measures, including contacting mental health professionals if necessary. Continuous follow-up after an intervention ensures that the individual receives ongoing support and that any issues are fully resolved.
Dive Buddy Program
Training Manual
Overview
Training is essential to prepare Dive Buddies for their roles and responsibilities. This manual outlines the key training components necessary for effective support and intervention. We reject the idea that only mental health professionals are best suited for this work. No one knows our dive buddies better than we do!
1. Resilience Training
- Mental Toughness: Dive Buddies should learn techniques for developing mental toughness, such as mindfulness, meditation, and stress management. Regular practice of these techniques helps build resilience, enabling individuals to cope more effectively with challenges.
- Overcoming Adversity: Providing strategies for overcoming adversity is another important aspect of training. These strategies might include goal setting, positive visualization, and adaptive thinking. Reviewing case studies of individuals who have successfully overcome adversity can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Group discussions on personal experiences of overcoming adversity further reinforce these strategies and build a supportive community.
- Maintaining Mental Health: Educating Dive Buddies on the importance of maintaining mental health is crucial. Providing tools and resources for mental health maintenance, such as self-care techniques and stress management strategies, helps individuals stay mentally fit. Emphasizing the role of self-care in building resilience ensures that Dive Buddies prioritize their well-being and are better equipped to support others.
2. Crisis Response
- Acute Mental Health Crises: Dive Buddies should be trained to recognize signs of acute mental health crises, such as extreme distress, drastic changes in behavior, or verbal threats of self-harm. Knowing the immediate steps to take in such situations, including ensuring the individual’s safety and contacting mental health professionals, is critical. Developing personalized crisis response plans for each Buddy pair ensures preparedness and a tailored approach to each individual’s needs.
- Intervention Techniques: Training on intervention techniques, such as de-escalation strategies, is essential for handling crises effectively. Teaching active listening skills and emphasizing the importance of being a calming and supportive presence can help diffuse tense situations. Dive Buddies should also be trained to recognize when professional help is needed and how to facilitate that connection.
- Emergency Protocols: Providing Dive Buddies with a list of emergency contacts and resources, including crisis hotlines and mental health services, ensures they have access to immediate support. Clear steps to follow during an emergency, such as contacting the appropriate authorities or mental health professionals, help Dive Buddies act swiftly and effectively. Defining the roles of each Dive Buddy in a crisis situation ensures a coordinated and comprehensive response.
3. Communication Skills
- Effective Listening: Teaching techniques for effective listening, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and reflecting feelings, helps Dive Buddies provide meaningful support. Identifying and overcoming barriers to effective listening, such as distractions or preconceived notions, is crucial. Practicing listening skills through role-playing exercises can help Dive Buddies develop and refine these abilities.
- Empathy: Understanding the importance of empathy in supporting Dive Buddies is a key component of training. Teaching methods for expressing empathy, such as validating emotions and showing understanding, helps build trust and strengthen relationships. Emphasizing cultural sensitivity in empathetic interactions ensures that support is respectful and inclusive.
- Difficult Conversations: Training Dive Buddies on how to approach difficult conversations about mental health and suicide is essential. Providing techniques for having these conversations, such as using “I” statements and maintaining a non-judgmental attitude, helps create a safe space for open dialogue. Offering strategies for providing support during and after difficult conversations ensures that Dive Buddies feel equipped to handle these challenging discussions.
Dive Buddy Program
Summary
The Dive Buddy system
