As a Mental Health Telephone Support Volunteer, you will specifically be calling members from the You Are Not Alone service which supports 16–30-year-olds that have attempted suicide, for regular check-in calls and support to continue using skills learned in their 6-month DBT group therapy. In these 20 min calls where you will support members to think about, set, and work towards improving their wellbeing (emotional, physical, and psychological). You will build a build a trusting connection, reconnect them to their strengths and help them work towards a life worth living.
You will be part of an interdisciplinary team that offers ongoing support groups, casework support and therapy to support members who are struggling with their mental health. Some members have described this service as a "life-line" that makes them feel less alone.
As a Mental Health Telephone Support Volunteer you will be building empathetic and trusting relationships with members, helping them to combat isolation, giving them to feel seen and heard. This is an extremely rewarding role and is vital in maintaining member's essential connection to the Body & Soul community and all it has to offer.
Before you start in this role you will be trained by one of the group facilitators in essential DBT skills such as emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance skills. You will also have ongoing supervision and other learning and development opportunities including the potential to join our 3-day Essential DBT Skills Training run by two leading DBT therapists.
Commitment –
- We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week.
- To keep continuity for our members we would like volunteers to make a minimum commitment of 6 months.
Essential skills –
- Warmth, friendliness, and excellent communication skills.
- Proactive, confident, and personable approach.
- Good listening skills and ability to provide one to one emotional support.
- Ability to form strong relationships and discussions with a diverse community.
- Non-judgemental, adaptable, and open-minded.
Desirable skills –
- Experience in coaching, befriending, or supporting others emotionally.
- Experience supporting people with mental health difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and suicidality.
- Interest in a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
Similar Opportunities
People & Planet is looking for volunteers to assist with compiling its 2025/26 People & Planet University League; the only higher education ranking that classifies based on ethics and climate justice criteria.
