Volunteer training
Programs utilizing veteran parents to provide peer support to NICU families, regardless of whether support is provided in-person, by phone or Internet, should offer a comprehensive training program designed to equip parent mentors with the skills needed. Content of training may include: Defining the roles of a parent mentor: To actively and empathetically listen to and encourage NICU parents without trying to solve their problems or give them advice;19, 20, 40
To assist parents in identifying and utilizing their current support systems;
To offer emotional and informational support;
To encourage advocacy for their baby;
To empower parents to step into their parental role as an essential member of their NICU baby's care team; and
To identify when to ask for help and where help is available for parents that mentors are supporting.20
Defining expectations of a parent mentor: To maintain confidentiality: the manner in which each hospital handles the sharing of patient information should be communicated;
To treat all parents with respect, regardless of their cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status and religion; and
To make a time commitment for the program.
Development of essential skill set: Basic communication and reflective listening skills;
Understanding the expected and normal emotional responses of NICU parents, and responses that indicate parents might be at risk for more serious mental health issues;
Understanding the dynamics of grief and loss;30 and
Knowledge of hospital and community resources.
Parent mentor training should be offered to groups of 8 to 12 parents whenever practical, allowing for a group that is small enough to result in intimacy but large enough to stimulate conversation and interaction.20 Demonstrations and observations, role-play, practice interviews and videotaped interviews10 can be utilized as training methods. Mentors should be encouraged to reflect on their own NICU experience and consider how it may affect their provision of support to NICU parents.23 Ongoing supervision of peer mentors is recommended to ensure that both group facilitators and individual mentors are supported and provided guidance when needed.