I wish to get a team of peer reviewers together to ensure that Youthline's counsellor training and information for our young people is of high quality and evidence-based. It is, but I wish to formalise it.
We have online courses in counselling skills and mental health first aid that our volunteers do. We also have a online Youth Info Card full of resources for our young people (https://youthline.kiwi/).
We would publish your name and content approval on the website.
Youthline Central South Island is a volunteer-led organisation. We have 3 staff who support our 50 volunteers. While we use basic peer counselling our young people's issues are getting more serious and suicide idealation is increasing. Also the counsellor's skills needed and health & safety requirements are getting more demanding.
Generally the more qualified the better, as your name will go on the resources as publically approving the content. Ideally a counselling and/or psychology qualitfication and registration.
Also would be great to have a couple of young people who use the helpline on the team, as you'll have a better insight of what works for you.
You would do this from home in your own time or are welcome to come into our central city office.
The basic counselling course that the volunteers do is 18 hours long, and the Certificate in Mental Health First Aid a bit shorter.
No real rush to complete, go at your own pace.
Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Ref: 1088
Mentoring & Counselling