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Details of Seminar (adults)

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Course Outline Leaflet

Mental Health Awareness in Schools

Over the last two three years, Crossways Community has gone into schools to give lessons on mental health awareness and helping teenagers to understand common mental ill-health is, how with very simple ideas, we all can and need to support our friends who may need it. 

Schools who have kindly invited us to take Mental Health Awareness courses as part of their PHSE lessons.

HELPING TO REMOVE THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILL-HEALTH

Best Years of Our Lives?

Many people will know someone who has a mental health difficulty...but they may not realise it.

On average, at any point in time 1 in 8 boys and 1  in 10 girls between the ages of 11 and 15 has a mental health disorder. Approximately 20% of children have a mental health problem in any given year. source

Most people are able to live in the community; only the chronic or very acutely unwell require residential care or inpatient treatment. Removing the stigma of mental ill-heath means that people are more accepted and able to live productive lives.

CHALLENGING IDEAS AND PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS

Who do you see in this picture? 

Do you see a young woman looking into the distance or an old woman looking to the left?

We tend to formulate our opinions of the world around us from an early age. The issue for most people is that they have very little understanding of what mental ill-health is, often relying on stereotypes they have learnt from their family, friends or the media. 

By looking at our pre-conceived ideas and seeing they are based on poor information we can become more accepting of people. 

John Nash Jr

Mathematician, Nobel-Prize Winner, Professor

Does your opinion of him change if you knew he was also a paranoid Schizophrenic?

The course can be tailored to suit individual school’s circumstances but in principle:

The first half of the course starts off by looking at the preconceived ideas or issues people may have. 

HELPING PEOPLE TO SUPPORT OTHERS

 We all think we’re good listeners but often we can give the impression we’re not listening.

People often think that you have to be a professional carer to help others with mental health problems but in most cases what most people actually need is a ‘good friend’ who is willing to listen.

Simply, calling, texting or sending a message by Facebook can help people feel supported.

We use video clip from popular programmes such as Eastenders, to demonstrate good/bad listening and how some words/actions can come across as being inappropriate.