improving the quality of mental health interpreting in victoria

DEBRIEFING
Mental health staff are offered debriefing** if they experience a distressing incident, or are distressed
by material they hear from a client. Some interpreters have expressed a need for debriefing after a
distressing interpreting assignment.
**Debriefing can be described as a structured discussion conducted by a trained peer. It provides an
opportunity for staff to talk through facts, thoughts, feelings and reactions to a critical incident or
distressing experience that occurs during their regular work.
24. Do you ever feel that you would like to have
someone to debrief with following a distressing
interpreting assignment?
25. Have you ever been offered debriefing after such
assignments?
■ Yes, most times
■ Yes, sometimes
■ Not yet, but would like to have the
opportunity
■ No, never
■
■ Other____________________
■ No
■ Yes, but only occasionally
■ Yes, most times
■ Yes, every time
■ Other____________________
26. If you have been offered some kind of debriefing
before: what type was it?
■ Debriefing by MH clinician, initiated by clinician
■ Debriefing by MH clinician initiated by interpreter
■ Debriefing by Interpreting Agency staff member
■ Informal debriefing/ discussion after session with clinician
■ Informal debriefing with colleague
■ Informal debriefing with friend/ family member colleague
■ In a group with other interpreters
27. Of these kinds of debriefings which would you prefer:
■ Debriefing by MH clinician, initiated by clinician
■ Debriefing by MH clinician initiated by interpreter
■ Debriefing by Interpreting Agency staff member
■ Informal debriefing/ discussion after session with clinician
■ Informal debriefing with colleague
■ Informal debriefing with friend/ family member colleague
■ In a group with other interpreters
■ Other________________________________________
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