International expert delivers mental health training locally
09/03/2012
An experienced trainer in mental health awareness says that everyone can recover from the challenges resulting from mental illness and that they can find purpose by taking responsibility for the decisions they make.
Rona McBrierty, a peer support specialist and international Advanced WRAP Facilitator from Scotland, has been in the Southern Trust to deliver a five-day programme in Mental Health Recovery training.
‘WRAP’ is Wellness Recovery Action Planning and it sets out ways to keep the individual well with or without the continuing presence of mental ill health. The five main areas of wellness are managing mental health, self belief, daily living skills, structure and activity, and taking power to ensure a holistic approach.
Rona says, “Recovery focuses on a person’s right and ability to build a meaningful life for themselves and it is a unique and deeply personal process. By understanding and coping with their mental ill health, each individual can build strength and resourcefulness, establish supportive networks and pursue dreams and goals that are important to them. Recovery involves self management with the support of family, friends and statutory and voluntary mental health services.
“The person who experiences symptoms is the one who develops their personal WRAP. The person may choose to have supporters and health care professionals help them complete their Wellness Recovery Action Plan. The WRAP also helps the person to monitor uncomfortable and distressing feelings and behaviours and, through planned responses, reduces or eliminates them. It also includes ideas for responses from others when the individual cannot make decisions or keep themselves safe. By becoming an active participant at the centre of their care, individuals can take more control of their wellbeing.”
Chief Executive Mairead McAlinden adds: “The Wellness Recovery Action Plan was developed by people who have been dealing with mental illness for many years and who are working hard to feel better and get on with their lives. Recovery is about taking responsibility and being supported to make decisions to enable the person to become empowered and improve their quality of life.
“The Southern Trust would like to thank Rona McBrierty, a service user herself and international Advanced WRAP facilitator certified by the Copeland Centre in America, for sharing her experience of mental health services and advances in Recovery focused practice with staff. This training involved a service user and a carer. Now we can use this knowledge to deliver this training to many staff, voluntary and community groups, carers and users.”