DE-ESCALATION OF CONFLICT AS ONE POSSIBLE WAY TO REDUCE THE USE OF RESTRAINTS

At the beginning of November, the project held the last of a series of workshops and training activities aimed at providing concrete tools, skills and inspiration in the field of creating a safe environment and preventing and managing conflicts in psychiatric wards, one of the goals of which is to reduce the use of restraints in mental health care, especially in the acute phase of the illness.

Twelve workers from the psychiatric inpatient facilities involved in the project participated in a two-day workshop that offered basic knowledge and skills in conflict de-escalation. Under the guidance of Danish experts Michael Aaldering and Kenneth Juel from the Institute for Security, which offers training and support in conflict prevention, management and post-conflict care for staff in health and social care facilities throughout Denmark, participants gained ideas for dividing roles and setting up teamwork, including choosing a unified strategy for conflict management. They learned about how to assess individual situations, determine the level of risk of conflict and respond appropriately. Participants were able to try out specific strategies, procedures and communication with a patient in a challenging situation in different roles during practical exercises.

In addition to the staff of the participating hospitals, the training was also attended by peer workers who will act as trainers in the courses prepared by the project and bring their own perspectives and experiences of mental illness, mental health care and recovery to the training of mental health workers. The courses will be prepared by project experts in collaboration with experts from the participating hospitals (mainly doctors and nurses) who have received training. Approximately 100 additional staff will thus be trained in de-escalation techniques and conflict prevention, with a focus on the Safewards model, and will use the knowledge and skills acquired in their direct care and work with patients in the mental health wards where they work.

Photos from the training can be viewed in the shared album or in the post on the Facebook page of the Centre of Mental Health Care Development.