Alexandra Mitchell

Development, implementation and review of programs and interventions to identify and manage exposure to trauma and other psychosocial risks. Involves:

• Consultation and advice to ABC leadership on trauma-informed practices, mental health, organisational issues and identification and management of psychosocial hazards
• Management of Foreign Correspondent Psychological Wellbeing Program. Encompasses participation in Foreign Correspondent selection, training, and active psychological monitoring throughout and post tenure.
• Implementation and management of Trauma Intervention Program, early intervention strategy involving provision of psychological treatment by externally engaged Psychologists, following exposure to potentially traumatic content.
• Implementation and management of ABC Peer Support Program. Includes development of Peer Support policies and procedures, recruitment, selection and training of applicants and delivery of ongoing professional development, guidance and support of active Peer Supporters.
• Delivery of training and psychoeducational programs on variety of areas including Vicarious Trauma, Moral Injury, Trauma-Informed reporting and management, Mental Health, Bolstering Stress Tolerance and Resilience, Supportive leadership, Burnout and Change Management

Delivery of psychological services, consultation and advice to all NSW Police Force Commanders, Assistant Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and other members of the Executive. Involved:

• Facilitation of regular individual psychological support sessions targeting wellbeing.
• Consultation around management of situations that were politically sensitive, covert, and/ or potentially risky to reputation of organisation.
• Advice and training on effective management of trauma exposure, supportive leadership skills, organisational issues/ challenges and fostering a culture that challenges mental health stigma and encourages help-seeking behaviour.

Management of the NSW Police Force Peer Support network, which comprised 1200 participants, the largest in Australasia. Involved:

• Development, maintenance and review of specific policies and procedures consistent with best practice.
• Selection of Peer Supporters. Involved peer review, interview and psychometric testing.
• Design, delivery and review of Peer Support Training for new applicants and Refresher Training for existing Peer Supporters
• Design, promotion and implementation of confidential data collection and reporting system.

Police Psychologist. Involved:

• Psychological Wellbeing checks for specialist squads including Sex Crimes, Counter Terrorism, Crime Scene, Homicide and other groups attached to State Crime Command.
• Fitness for Duty assessments
• Psychological support following significant critical and/or traumatic incidents (murder, suicide, serious injury of Police Officers, acts of terrorism, injury/ death of public from Police Operation, major disasters or crime scenes). Attended related Coronial, Criminal, Police Conduct Commission inquests.

NSW Government initiative aimed at the diversion of high-risk recidivist offenders with a history of substance misuse from further entrenchment in the criminal justice system. Involved:

• Leadership of inter-departmental and intersectoral team comprised of Department of Justice, Human Services, Education and Training and Justice Health, NSW, NGOs. Provision of offence-focused interventions, holistic case management, health, education and accommodation assistance and legal mandate supervision.
• Management of Juvenile Justice team, including provision of clinical supervision to Psychologists and Social Workers
• Financial management, including funding applications.
• Participation in Youth Drug and Alcohol Court team, operating within a therapeutic jurisprudence model and comprising Magistrate, Legal Aid representative and Police Prosecutor
• Regular liaison, consultation with and reporting to stakeholders, including NSW and Federal Government representatives.

Provision of psychological services for high-risk recidivist young offenders with a history of violent behaviour and/or substance use in custodial and community settings. Involved:

• Conducting psychological assessments and sentencing reports for Children's Court
• Provision of offence-focussed individual treatment and case management
• Development, implementation and facilitation of group programs
• Conducting assessments of risks of harm and/or violence within custodial settings and developing behavioural management plans