Table 9 Description of Distress Brief Intervention Level 1 staff training

DBI Level 1 training

∙ A training module was produced to enable different frontline services to provide the DBI Level 1 response. The module addressed three intended learning outcomes, standardised across organisations, professional roles and pre-existing competency levels to ensure consistency in the DBI Level 1 response.

Intended learning Outcomes

1. Understand distress and contributory factors.

2. Provide a brief and compassionate frontline response to distress.

3. Have knowledge of DBI ‘Level 2’ support, its benefits and how to make a referral.

Summary of training themes and activities

∙ Training addressed frontline staff members' understanding of distress and contributory factors as well as supporting acquisition and/or consolidation of skills in providing a brief compassionate and caring response to people in distress within frontline settings.

∙ Practical aspects addressed referring an eligible person to receive the DBI Level 2 response in the community, as well as information about the nature and potential benefits of the support available through the Level 2 response, consistent with the gatekeeper role of the Level 1 response.

∙ Reflective activities and quotes from those with lived experience of distress were incorporated to contextualise the standard training content within organisational roles and individual experience.

∙ Aide-memoires, support sheets and annotated/model referral forms were included.

∙ Learning was assessed via a 10-item multiple-choice question set.