As 2020 draws to a close, there is more and more evidence that the Covid crisis is taking its toll on just about everyone’s mental health. The threat of infection, social isolation, the massive disruption of societal norms and working patterns, the uncertainty over the future – all of it is taking its toll of our mental wellbeing

To counter this, Civicos Training has teamed with mental health specialist and trainer Elaine Crosbie to develop a two-part course that is designed to help you to adjust to – and grow into - the ’new normal’.

Both sessions of the course are three hours, delivered online through Zoom.

In Session One (12 November 09.30-12.30) , we start with a general discussion of mental health, and work towards the realisation that your situation is neither unique nor insurmountable.

• Why do we all have mental health peaks and troughs? What are the usual triggers?
• Why is there a stigma to something that affects us all?
• What is good mental health, and why is it important?
• A look at the key mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, psychosis
• Why is Covid and lockdown having such a detrimental effect on our mental health?

• Monitoring your own mental health.
• Group discussion. What are the physical signs of poor mental health?
• Coping strategies, both good and bad.
• Identifying sources of professional help such as workplace counselling, peer-support, and professional bodies

Session Two (16 November 09.30 - 12.30) looks at ways we can help ourselves to maintain a positive mental outlook

• How good physical health protects our immune system and has a positive effect on our mental health
• Identifying emotions and learning how to self-regulate – a general discussion on comfort eating and drinking and exercise patterns through lockdown. How do we ensure an enjoyable but healthy diet and lifestyle?
• Mindful in life, at home and at work. Some simple Mindfulness techniques for prevention and management of mental health issues in workplace
• Resilient You: Tips and hints to cope when you have that wobbly moment in the day.

Our Trainer: Elaine Crosbie has three decades’ experience working in adult education with community learning and development, health improvement and mental health training. She is a qualified Scottish Mental Health First Aid trainer and her specialist area of work is developing and delivering mental health and wellbeing programmes.

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This course is being delivered online, using the video conferencing service ZOOM. See more about Zoom, and how we will use it, below.

Using Zoom

Zoom is an online application that allows us to make video calls and host online meetings. It is fairly intuitive to use, and most users are comfortable with it within five or ten minutes.

Taking part in Zoom training

As with classroom training, the trainer can share slides and other documents, and talk to everyone at once. Participants are also able to contribute, by signalling that they wish to talk, and then doing so.

Normally, all participants can also see each other, in head-and-shoulders screen shots.

The trainer will use the first five minutes of the training to show you a coupe of Zoom features (such as how too indicate that you wish to contribute by raising a little hand emoji). They will also set some simple ground rules over letting others get their say, etc.

We wiill also build in breaks every hour, as concenttration levels definitely dip more with oduring meetings.

What you need to use Zoom

All you need to participate in this course is a device that has audio and video capability – such as the vast majority of modern laptops, tablets, phones and computers. You should also have a quiet space, in your office or house, where you are reasonably sure you will not be interrupted during the course.

You do not need to install Zoom on your device. We will send you an invitation link, and when you click on it, Zoom will do the rest.

Getting a Zoom practise

If you are unsure of Zoom, or would simply like to practise using it before the course, we will be very happy to set up a short Zoom session between yourself and one of our staff. We will take you through the basic Zoom functions, let you test your camera and audio work ok, etc etc.

More details on how to access this service will be sent with your booking acknowledgement.

OTHER FAQS ABOUT THE COURSE

Do I have to book using Eventbrite?

No. You can simply contact us at training@civicostraining.org with your name, organisation, billing address and a note of any access issues. We will issue an invoice in advance of your attendance.

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

If you want to transfer to another training course, please contact us with five or more days’ notice at training@civicostraining.org

What is the refund policy?

Civicos Training requires five working days' notice of cancellation. We will always attempt to place you on a later version of the same course, or transfer your booking to another course at no extra cost. However, if you cancel with less than the required notice, we do reserve the right to charge for the full cost of the course