Courses

  • INTRODUCTION

     

    OUR COURSES

    MHS offers a wide range of courses focusing on different areas of mental health awareness and well-being training. Bespoke courses to address the particular needs of individual organisations can also be designed and provided. All available courses can be explored throughout this area of the website.

    We fully appreciate that in budget constrained times, all training undertaken needs to be cost effective as well as addressing your organisational needs. With flexible training programmes that can be adapted to meet the needs of all working environments, we are very happy to discuss your particular requirements and select, create and adapt courses accordingly.

    We will come to you to deliver high quality in-house training which is far more convenient and eliminates the need for costly hotel and travel expenses for your staff. We also have a straightforward fee structure with only a daily fee to pay rather than a per delegate cost. The only additional costs to clients are to cover training manuals where applicable.

    BESPOKE COURSES

    At MHS, we take a very flexible approach to the courses we offer. If one of our standard courses doesn't meet the needs of your organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you and work together to create the right course for you.



    "The MHS trainer, Bernie Graham, fully understood the needs of our organisation and dealing directly with him gave me great confidence in the training. The course is excellent, as are the course materials, and it is great value for money"

    Susan Faridi, Community & Support Services Manager, Hornsey Housing Association.

    Click here to read the case study...


    View 2 Day Course

     

  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

    2 DAY COURSE for up to 12 participants

     

    Course Overview:

    This is a certificated course endorsed by the Dept. of Health's National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) and Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP).

    The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course was originally developed in the Department of Psychiatry at the Australian National University to address the general lack of awareness and understanding of mental health problems. The evidence based course was adapted for an English audience by Bernie Graham of MHS in association with Mind and the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE).

    This flexible accredited course builds on established First Aid practices by offering a comprehensive introduction to the onset, nature and treatment of mental ill health, together with core skills in supporting people experiencing mental health problems prior to professional involvement. In addition the course promotes positive mental health strategies to help reduce sickness and absenteeism through awareness of appropriate support interventions.

    The MHFA accredited course has also been the subject of two full evaluations; one by Bath University for the public sector, and another by the University of Westminster on behalf of MITIE, for the corporate sector. Bernie Graham was the trainer for both these evaluations.

    View the Timetable

    Learning Outcomes:

    By the end of the 2 days you will:

    • Have enhanced awareness of the concepts of mental health and mental ill-health/distress
    • Have considered the issues related to the stigma associated with mental ill-health.
    • Have developed awareness of the range and types of mental 'disorders'
    • Have enhanced knowledge of the range of support, therapies and self help strategies available for people experiencing mental distress.
    • Have developed First Aid skills for supporting people experiencing mental distress prior to professional involvement.

     All participants are given a comprehensive MHFA manual to keep for future reference. These currently cost £12 each.



    "The courses offered by MHS are excellent and meet all the stated objectives. Feedback from staff was hugely positive and they are putting into practice what they have learned to very good effect. Highly recommended"

    Gareth Gilleeney, Learning & Development Manager, SHELTER

    Click here to read the case study...

  • Mental Health Awareness

    1 DAY COURSE

     

    Course Aim:

    To address the general lack of awareness and understanding of mental health problems, this one day course offers an introduction to the nature and onset of mental ill health, together with core listening skills. This course is open to anyone wishing to develop their awareness of mental health issues and to help support people experiencing mental health problems.


    "Frontline staff are now able to identify a problem early on and put the necessary support in place quickly. MHS handled all aspects of the training and administration with great efficiency, making them very easy to work with."

    Ian Martin, Director of Housing & Neighbourhood Services, Christian Action Housing Association.

    Click here to read the case study...

    Learning Outcomes:

    By the end of this course participants will:

    • Have enhanced awareness of the concepts of mental health and mental ill-health/distress.
    • Have enhanced understanding of one's own mental health.
    • Have considered the issues related to the stigma associated with mental ill-health.
    • Have developed awareness of the range and types of mental 'disorders' together with core listening skills for supporting people experiencing mental health problems.

  • STAFF SELF-CARE WORKSHOP

    HALF DAY COURSE

     

    Course Aim:

    This course aims to reduce the potential for secondary stress reactions amongst staff/carers supporting and/or caring for people with a high level of need. This is a proactive approach to supporting staff/carers to equip themselves with the tools they need to ensure their own good mental health and wellbeing.


    "Really useful to highlight and refresh the importance of managing yourself so you can continue to work effectively. Interesting to think about my own social support structure and break it down"

    Participant, SHELTER

    Learning Outcomes:

    The primary learning objectives of this course are:

    • To enhance self- awareness of possible secondary stress responses.
    • To increase knowledge of and to encourage engagement in self-care skills/activities.
    • To identify and elicit social supports.
    •  To increase awareness of counselling and other employee assistance available through their organisation. (if delivered in-house)

  • TRAUMATIC STRESS REACTION (TSR)

    1 DAY COURSE

     

    Course Aim:

    This course, developed by Bernie Graham in association with Mental Health First Aid England, is intended for anyone who lives, works with, or has a developing interest in Traumatic Stress Reaction (TSR) or more specifically, Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The programme is designed for both non-specialist and informed audiences providing a thorough introduction to the onset, nature and treatment of post traumatic stress conditions, together with core first aid skills in supporting people experiencing these conditions prior to professional involvement.

    "This excellent course is both essential and timely for supporting all those who have experienced trauma." Simon Weston OBE

     

    Learning Outcomes:

    The primary learning objectives of the one day TSR course are:

    • To increase participants' awareness and understanding of TSR.
    • To develop confidence in offering first aid support to those experiencing TSR.
    • To positively change participants' attitudes towards people experiencing TSR.
    • To increase knowledge of recommended treatments, help and support.

  • ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING

    1 DAY COURSE

     

    Course Aim:

    The course aims to enhance participants' skills in assertive behaviour and more effective communication. This one day workshop provides a firm foundation for people to focus on the nature of assertiveness and the potential personal development resulting from developing their skills in this area.



    "Participants found the course very enlightening and were shown some excellent coping strategies to use in their work and in their everyday lives."

    Odette Morris, Mind.

    Click here to read the case study...

    Learning Outcomes:

    By the end of the course, participants will:

    • Have developed awareness of Aggressive, Assertive and Passive modes of behaviour and communication.
    • Have considered personal issues and situations that may prevent effective and balanced communication.
    • Have enhanced awareness of our primary communication tools: body language and voice.
    • Have considered cultural, gender and sex issues that may affect our potential for balanced and effective communication.
    • Have increased knowledge of a range of practical assertiveness techniques.
    • Have developed a personal action plan for utilising assertiveness in day to day life.

  • AN INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTIONS

    1 DAY COURSE

     

    Course Overview:

    This course aims to develop awareness of the nature and potential applications of Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) and the use of animals as therapeutic supports. Suitable for service users, support staff, volunteers and students working in caring environments where the introduction of an AAI programme may be beneficial.


    "Bernie Graham has a great passion for the subject and is very approachable and helpful. He is all about what HE can do for YOU."

    Lesley Bailey, Interact.

    Click here to read the case study...

    Learning Outcomes:

    By the end of the day you will:

    • Have enhanced knowledge of the origins and development of AAI.
    • Have developed awareness of the range and type of Animal Assisted Interventions.
    • Have examined the prevailing theories underpinning AAI and the related research.
    • Have considered the ethical issues related to the use of animals as therapeutic supports.
    • Have considered the practical and potential health and safety issues associated with AAI.
    Creature Comfort - Animals that heal

    Bernie is also author of the book "Creature Comfort - Animals that Heal" (Simon & Shuster)  which looks at all aspects of Animal Assisted Interventions, explores the theories behind the therapy, and provides both a practical guide to the subject and a collection of wonderful and inspiring stories featuring our animal friends from dolphins to domestic cats. His course, An Introduction to Animal Assisted Interventions, benefits from this extensive knowledge of the subject. Bernie is a member of the Society for Companion Animal Studies and the International Society for Anthrozoology.

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