I Am Here is a programme that creates a culture of support through compassionate connection. I Am Here helps change beliefs and behaviours associated with mental health and emotional wellbeing through acceptance that it’s ok not to feel ok; and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help.
- A Team Member is a person working within the organisation.
- A Tribe Member is a person who has completed the I Am Here: Tribe Members course and then becomes an advocate for the I Am Here movement.
- An Ambassador is a Tribe Member who has completed the I Am Here: Ambassadors course to develop the courage, confidence and skills to act as a signpost to connect people with the help and support they may need.
As a Tribe Member, you can:
- Help build a culture of support.
- Promote I Am Here to others.
- Recruit more Tribe Members.
An Ambassador develops the courage, confidence and skills to act as a signpost to connect people with the help and support they may need. An Ambassador is not expected to be a counsellor or psychologist or have medical training. An Ambassador is required to be the signpost that points the way to greater mental health and emotional wellbeing for fellow Team Members.
To become a Tribe Member, you are required to complete the I Am Here: Tribe Members course. On completion of this course, through your organisation’s Learning Management System (LMS), you will be a certified Tribe Member.
To become an Ambassador, you must already be a Tribe Member. You are then required to complete the I Am Here: Ambassadors course where you will develop the courage, confidence and skills to act as a signpost to connect people to the help and support they may need. On completion of this course, through your organisation’s LMS, you will be a certified Ambassador.
Tribe Members and Ambassadors come from all areas of the organisation. Together they create a culture where it’s ok not to feel ok; and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help.
The I Am Here journey comprises four components:
- I Am Here: The Why – Creating Awareness (3-minute video)
- I Am Here: Tribe Members – Changing Beliefs & Behaviours (30-minute eLearning course)
- I Am Here: Ambassadors – Building Courage, Confidence & Skills (2-hour eLearning course)
- I Am Here: The Arena – Sharing Stories, Sharing Support (ongoing supports)
Select the link to access the I Am Here journey map for further details.
Before displaying your Ambassador symbol at the start of each day, perform a short self-check to ensure you have the courage, confidence and skills to act in your role as an Ambassador.
Work through these key questions during your self-check:
- Do I have time today?
- Can I be my own observer today?
- Do I need any help?
If you need a refresh on the self-check questions, refer to the I Am Here: Ambassadors course. It is always available to support you.
To Show you care is to build a contract of trust that proves you completely accept your fellow Team Member and are offering your total support. There are many ways to Show you care, depending on what feels right for you, your fellow Team Member and the situation. The I Am Here: Ambassadors course explores the appropriate ways to reach out and Show you care through different scenarios.
To Ask the question is to test your assumption that the Team Member is not feeling ok rather than working off a hunch. The clues gained through Show you care are used to guide your questioning so you can delve deeper and gain authentic answers. Be as direct and specific as you can without labelling the Team Member’s situation.
Call for help is where you hand over the Team Member to the help or support they require. It is entirely the Team Member’s choice to take the help or support offered once you have made the connection.
Ambassadors are CLEAR, that is, they demonstrate:
- Compassion – To show compassion is to have the desire to relieve the suffering of a fellow Team Member by showing genuine concern for their situation, acting with kindness and care and being there for them.
- Listening – You could say that listening actively is the most important skill that underpins I Am Here. Listening carefully involves ‘listening with all your senses’ to understand the Team Member’s full message.
- Empathy – Showing empathy is the ability to step into your fellow Team Member’s shoes to understand the situation from their perspective.
- Acceptance – Total acceptance means putting aside your own opinions, values and bias. A Team Member who feels accepted is more likely to trust you to guide them to help and support on offer.
- Real – An Ambassador is real and authentic. This means showing up as yourself so that the Team Member can also be themselves.
Yes. The Arena is open and available to everyone, so please share access with your family, friends and fellow Team Members. Only Fáilte Ireland Team Members can log in, interact and share stories; however, everyone can access and view the available content.
Yes. Anyone can access the courseware through The Arena. However, to become a certified Tribe Member or Ambassador, you must access the courseware through the LMS.
Yes. A moderator reviews all comments, replies, posts and stories to determine if they are appropriate and in alignment with the I Am Here message before going live on The Arena.