Why should I come on this course?

We all have mental health - and almost everyone will have times during their lives when their mental health, or that of a colleague or loved one, suffers and they may become ill.

Although barriers have been broken down progressively over the past few years, and more of us are keen to talk about our experiences, social stigma and public misconceptions regarding people who suffer from mental health conditions remains a significant problem.

If journalists and communications professionals are to to tell the stories of the people who suffer from a range of mental health conditions truthfully and accurately then it's vitally important that they have an up-to-date understanding some of the key features of and differences between a range of mental health conditions and how they affect people.

By understanding more about the subject, and by using accurate language in our communications, we can all make a difference. And by being more aware, we can hbe better prepared to help ourselves and those around us when we experience mental health conditions.

What this course is, and is not about?

This one day workshop is aimed at building your understanding through discussion with and access to an experienced social care practitioner and trainer. It will raise your awareness of what we mean by "mental health" and - crucially - what should not be included under that term. It will also look at how people suffering from mental health conditions are treated and characterised, both today and in the past.

This is not a Mental Health First Aid course, and those seeking such training can speak with Gofal and other specialist charities in sector. However, the trainer will provide you with some general advice and guidance on self-care and where to signpost others for help and support.

If you or someone around you is experiecing difficulties with mental health, please seek the advice of a medical professional. Further advice can be found on the Mind Cymru website.

The trainer will look at examples of good (and not-so-good) practice in how mental health conditions are reported upon in the media and communicated by organisations, and crucially will draw upon your experiences as professionals working in the sector as well as NUJ Guidance on reporting ethically on issues of mental health and suicide.

Programme

• Introductions / outline of day
• Definitions, appropriate language & terminology
• Exploration of ideas of mental ‘wellbeing’ / health
• Indicators of good mental health
• A social context – public and media attitudes to Mental Health / statistics and frequency
• An historical context – how have people with Mental Health been supported?
• Causes of mental illness
• An overview of forms of mental illness conditions & symptoms - Psychosis / neurosis / depression / anxiety / paranoia / bipolar disorder / schizophrenia / personality disorders / obsessive compulsive disorder etc.
• Brief overview of treatment / interventions
• A brief look at helpful responses - basic tips and accessing further help and information - etc.
  

Aims / learning outcomes - attendees should be able to:

• Identify, understand and use appropriate / up-to-date / professional language and terminology in relation to mental health problems
• Demonstrate a basic awareness of how people with mental health problems have been supported throughout history
• Discuss a range of possible causes of mental health problems
• Develop awareness of common types of mental health conditions (incl.- psychosis / neurosis / anxiety / paranoia / affective disorders / schizophrenia / personality disorder etc.)
• Discuss public perceptions, attitudes and media portrayals of mental health problems.
• Appreciate some of the difficulties / impairments experienced by people with mental health problems
• Begin to consider some basic, helpful responses to a person experiencing mental distress
• Briefly explore principles of best practice around people with mental health problems (e.g. needs-led, person-centred support - Holistic approaches, talking therapies, medication, Medical vs social model etc.)
• Source further material on mental health problems and support that may be helpful, including suggested authors / websites etc.

The Trainer - Del Harries

Del Harries has over 27 years’ experience in social care, including training and consultancy work across the UK and Ireland. He also has extensive experience of setting up, managing and overseeing registered care services in Wales and England.
Previous roles have included working as Fellow of the University of Wales Trinity St. David, and as an Associate Trainer for Age UK, BILD and Coleg Sir Gar.
Del specialises in training and consultancy around mental health conditions, dementia, autistic spectrum conditions, brain injury and positive behaviour support.