Mental Health Awareness workshops

The aim of these workshops is to enable participants to gain a wider understanding, for themselves and others, of the issues surrounding mental health, and thereby to work more effectively with people with mental health problems. They are suitable for anyone over the age of 16. The workshops can also be a “taster” for those thinking of taking one of our 2-day Mental Health First Aid courses.  CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certificates are provided, certified by the CPD Certification Service and sponsored by Cygnet Hospital, Godden Green.

By the end of the 3-hour workshop participants will be able to:

  • identify the discrimination surrounding mental health problems
  • define mental health & different mental health problems
  • relate to people’s experiences
  • demonstrate how to support people with mental health problems
  • look after their own mental health

The subjects and questions raised include:

  • language and mental health issues
  • what is mental health?
  • mental health problems
  • hearing voices
  • recognising distress
  • supporting people in distress
  • our own emotional well being

The programme will include personal perspectives, interactive exercises (no role play!) and time for questions. Participants are encouraged to ask questions at any time, but to specifically make use of questions during the personal perspectives.

Participants are also asked to assess their experience of the workshops, and some typical feedback from previous workshops is shown below :

“Live” experiences of people with mental health issues gave a fresh perspective”

 

“I now have a better understanding of what mental health issues there are and how others impact on those struggling”

 

“The personal experiences were excellent – incredibly powerful”

 

“Excellent blend of interactive activity and good information”

 

“I need to be more open in my ability to help people that I come across with mental health problems”

 

“My perspective of mental illness has certainly been broadened.  The personal perspectives were particularly interesting”

 

“I really enjoyed the workshop.  It was a rewarding, life-enhancing workshop.  The presenters were brilliant”

The workshops are run by the Sevenoaks Area Mental Health Awareness Group (SAMHAG) and facilitated by Chris Morgan, a qualified Mental Health First Aid trainer. Read more about Chris here.

Workshop are held at our Sevenoaks Centre. The next workshop will be on Wednesday 18 July from 13:30 – 16:30 (registration from 13:00), and place(s) can be booked by contacting us or using our online booking and payment option. The workshop cost is £40 per place.

Please contact us if you are interested in offering the course to 8 or more people, as we can then discuss bringing the workshop to you.