Presentation of Mental Health First Aid certificates
16/10/2012
Sixteen participants from a range of organisations and groups have completed Mental Health First Aid training at Brownlow Hub.
The two-day course was delivered by staff from the Promoting Wellbeing Team at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Action Mental Health (AMH). Trust Chief Executive Mairead McAlinden says that the training equips people to play a vital part in early intervention to prevent or better manage mental ill health.
“The right training, like Mental Health First Aid, can help caregivers deal with many situations - increasing public understanding of mental health, promoting self-help strategies and raising awareness of the sources of help and support.
“The Trust is continuing to modernise our mental health services through its ‘Change in Mind’ strategy. Most of our services are now provided in the community by community mental health teams and in partnership with voluntary and community groups. This way of providing services, with a focus on support and recovery, is supporting people with mental health problems to remain independent and continues to reduce the need for hospital admission.
The Trust works closely with AMH MensSana on a range of mental health services and Mental Health First Aid trainer Roisin Tallon said: “We regularly see individuals who are experiencing difficulties within their lives that impact on their mental health and well-being. It is great to be able to offer training to the local community so they can spot the signs that someone is in mental distress and link them with appropriate help.”
Mrs McAlinden adds: “Our approach to early intervention and supporting people to live at home with a range of support from the Trust and our partners in the voluntary and community sector is transforming mental health care and the lives of people with mental ill health. It is evidence of the positive impact of the changes signalled for health and social care in the Minister’s strategy ‘Transforming Your Care’.”
Mental Health First Aid training is organised regularly for community and voluntary groups in the Southern Trust area. For further information and details of other training, contact the Promoting Wellbeing Team on 028 374 12406.
Captions:
Picitured above are participants at the Mental Health First Aid training course with Southern Trust Chief Executive Mairead McAlinden (standing, centre), Head of Health Improvement Lynne Smart (standing, left), Senior Health Promotion Officer for Mental Health Deirdre McParland (standing, right) and AMH MensSana Project Officer Roisin Tallon (standing, third from left)
Pictured below: Julie McGrath, Rosemary Stewart and Isobel McKenna have completed Mental Health First Aid training
Pictured at Brownlow Hub are Anne Gamble, Janet Aston, Joyce Kullas and Marian Mackin
Pictured below: Catherine Owens, Michaela McCall, Teresa McBennett and Janice Cuddy with their Mental Health First Aid certificates
Pictured below: Local women Alison Moan, Jacqueline Connolly and Karen McConville completed the Mental Health First Aid training at Brownlow Hub
