Starting a mental health training course can be daunting if you don’t know what to expect. In this article we are going to walk through a typical session for new staff members.
How the Day Is Structured
These training courses can consist of short taught sessions, group discussion and some practical exercises for you to work through. The sessions are paced to allow time for you to take in the information without feeling swamped. Typically there are breaks in between sessions for you to have a chance to process what you have learned.
What You Need to Know Beforehand
There is no prior knowledge needed to attend these mental health training courses, they are aimed at staff members with little or no knowledge of mental health and therefore you will not be tested on this prior knowledge. Simply turn up, be willing to listen, participate in discussions and activities within the course.
Exercises and Role-Play
Sometimes, participants are given the opportunity to go through scenario’s, with the help of a trainer, in which you act as a colleague of someone who is going through difficult times. These kinds of scenarios are dealt with by the trainer in a sensitive manner, and in a structured way. They are intended to practice your way of acting in difficult situations and help you to reflect on your actions and decisions. The trainer will also set some boundaries and it is up to the participants to decide how much they are willing to share in terms of their own experiences.
What You Leave With
By the end of the course you will have gained enough knowledge to be able to identify early signs of a person’s mental health deteriorating, have an understanding of how to have a supportive conversation with a person who is struggling and know when to refer a person on for further help. Many training providers will issue a certificate at the end of the course for your CPD records.
Fitting It Into Your Induction
These types of mental health training courses are best delivered as a single course as a starting point for new staff and further sessions can then be delivered as required. A useful reference for Mental Health Training Courses Newport is www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/newport.
Knowing beforehand what to expect on the day makes the experience so much better.
