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Table 1 Overview of the Ripple mental health intervention: a complex mental health intervention in Melbourne’s North West Metropolitan Health Region (NWMR)

From: A controlled trial of implementing a complex mental health intervention for carers of vulnerable young people living in out-of-home care: the ripple project

Main components

Activities

Description

A. Organisational Collaboration and Contribution

Developing shared language and commitment

Fundamental to the mode and content of delivery of the intervention

Implementation Group established at each Community Service Organisation (CSO)

Lead Ripple practitioners, Ripple project staff, and CSO management and staff meet regularly to review activity and opportunities and adapt the intervention as required

Ripple Practitioner Training and Supervision

Skilled mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) practitioners selected from 3 partner mental health agencies, trained and supervised (by lead practitioners from the same agencies) to work part-time with the CSOs

Youth Peer Leaders

Young people with lived experience co-deliver training and other selected activities

B. Mode of Delivery Ripple practitioner with specialist mental health expertise visits regularly

A Ripple practitioner visits an identified CSO worksitea at specified times: to develop relationships, establish trust, and strengthen CSO staff capacity to use mental health concepts and skills in their work

Professional Practice Groups

Ripple practitioner and CSO staff meet regularly for reflective practice; skills training; and case discussion

Training Sessions

CSO staff nominate key areas or topics for training on key mental health or AOD topics

Secondary Consultation and Care Team Consultation

Ripple practitioner available by special arrangement for staff or care-team consultation about a specific young person

Carer Groups

Training in emotional attunement, psychological skills

CSO staff trained in TinT: option to train carers in TinT courses

C. Content

Mental health/ Alcohol and drug expertise and evidence-based knowledge

Support for skills training and reflection for CSO staff with use of Toolbox and TinT experience

CSO staff trained in i) mental health & AOD signs, symptoms, and support strategies, ii)accessing and navigating mental health support

iii) psychoeducation and evidence based support strategies such as motivational interviewing techniques and emotion-focused coaching

Tuning into Teens (TinT)

Training program for carers and parents of teenagers (see Reference 52)

Selected CSO staff trained as TinT trainers for: carer groups; and CSO staff

TinT adapted for OoHC to support the development of emotional attunement and emotion-coaching roles for those caring for adolescents. TinT program staff provide training and supervision

Toolbox

http://www.youthaodtoolbox.org/

http://oohc.webtribe.com.au/

Online information on evidence-based therapeutic practice elements

Toolbox adapted for use in OoHC. Ripple practitioners trained to support CSO staff in its use

D. Menu of Therapeutic and Mental Health Knowledge and Skillsb

Challenging behaviours (and the role of trauma in their development and maintenance); Emotion regulation; Depression and anxiety; Communication and social skills; Family-focused interventions; Motivational interviewing; Problem solving; Promoting resilience; Self-harm and suicide

  1. aEach CSO has several worksites for home-based care teams and residential care houses
  2. bTraining, reflection and supervision available to CSO staff in this range of skills, used according to the agenda chosen at each worksite