Mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention training
Good mental health and resilience is the foundation of wellbeing and helps us to function effectively.
It's important to raise awareness and understanding of mental health, ways we can be resilient and know about the support that's available when needed. There are a range of training courses designed to help raise awareness of mental health challenges, health concerns and financial worries. The courses are suitable for residents, workplaces and frontline services.
Mental health
The mental health training resources have been developed to provide an understanding of mental health. Courses range from general awareness to mental health first aid.
| Course | Description of training | Who should attend | Training level | Provider | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Mental Health First Aid - two day course | Recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and to be able to effectively guide in the direction of appropriate support to support people with their mental wellbeing. To help people to develop skills to look after their own mental health and to reduce the stigma and discrimination. | Everyone | General awareness | Wellbeing for life Wellbeing for Life: training and awareness
| Free |
| Basic Mental Health Awareness | Improve awareness of mental health, knowing the signs of poor mental health and how to support people to improve their mental health. Understand the difference between mental health and mental illness, identify signs and symptoms of mental health conditions. Explore the facts and myths about mental health conditions and understand the impact of stigma. Identify key resources for support. | Everyone | General awareness | Wellbeing for life | Free |
| Building Resilience | A self-reflective interactive session which aims to identify ways to build your personal resilience; identify strengths and how to apply them; assess what you can and cannot influence; and consider support networks and self-care mechanisms. | Everyone | General awareness | Wellbeing for life | Free |
| Mental Health Awareness for Line Managers | Identifying mental health conditions in the workplace, how to develop and support a positive culture and giving you the confidence to engage in mental health conversations. | Workplace line managers | Workplace support | Wellbeing for life | Free |
| NUCO Level 1 Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health | This course will provide you with the knowledge to identify suspected mental health conditions and the skills to start a conversation surrounding mental health. | General awareness (18 years and over) | Level 1 | County Durham Training Hub | Check with course provider |
| NUCO Level 2 First Aid for | This course will provide you with the knowledge to identify suspected mental health conditions and the skills to start a conversation surrounding mental health. You will also learn about the first aid action plan for mental health and know how to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace. | General awareness (18 years and over) | Level 2 | County Durham Training Hub | Check with course provider |
| NUCO Level 3 Supervisors/Leading First Aid for Mental Health | This qualification will provide you with the knowledge to recognise a wide range of mental health conditions and learn about the support/therapy provided by professional healthcare providers. You will know how to start a supportive conversation and when and how to signpost a person to seek appropriate professional help. The course includes how to recognise and manage stress and understanding the impact of substance abuse. You will also learn about the first aid action plan for mental health, be able to put it in place and know how to implement a positive mental health culture in the workplace. | General awareness (18 years and over) | Level 3 | County Durham Training Hub | Check with provider |
| Awareness of Mental Health Problems | This fully online course will help you gain new knowledge and skills for your personal life as well as your career. It covers lots of different mental health problems, including stress, anxiety, phobias, depression, dementia, eating disorders and schizophrenia. You'll learn about the signs and symptoms of different mental health conditions and how to manage them, as well as gaining an understanding of mental health legislation and guidance. | General awareness (19 years and over) | Level 2 | Learning Curve | Check with provider |
| Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in The Workplace | Increasing the understanding of mental health among staff at all levels builds a culture of care and support. In this fully online course, you'll build an understanding of mental health problems and the support available in the workplace. You will learn how to support individuals with their mental health, as well as what a mentally healthy environment is like. | General awareness (19 years and over) | Level 2 | Learning Curve | Check with provider |
| Certificate in Awareness of Men's Mental Health Problems | The number of men who have suicidal thoughts has doubled since 2009. Although men are now more likely to see a therapist if they're feeling worried or low, there's still a long way to go to ensure that men are supported with their mental health. This online course, Awareness of Men's Mental Health Problems, covers a wide range of different mental health problems that can affect men, including depression, stress, anxiety and PTSD. You will learn about the signs, symptoms and triggers of poor mental health, as well as the differences in how some mental health conditions present themselves in men and women. | General awareness (19 years and over) | Level 2 | Learning Curve | Check with provider |
| Understanding Mental Health | The Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health is designed to provide a greater awareness of mental health issues and the importance of mental well-being. Learners will build a knowledge base that can be used in a variety of occupational roles, gaining an understanding of the skills needed to work in mental health services, the importance of addressing mental health problems, and how legislation and publicity are changing attitudes towards those seeking treatment. | General awareness (19 years and over) | Level 3 | Learning Curve | Check with provider |
| Understanding Anxiety | A distance learning course to help understand anxiety. | Everyone | Entry level | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Understanding Depression | A distance learning course to understanding depression. | Everyone | Entry level | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Understanding Stress | A distance learning course to understanding stress. | Everyone | Entry level | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Mental Capacity Act | A distance learning course to understanding the Mental Capacity Act. | Everyone | Entry level | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Award in Mental Health Awareness | Flexible learning, online and distance learning courses. | Everyone | General awareness | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems | Flexible online learning course in awareness of mental health problems. | Everyone | General awareness | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Certificate in Understanding Mental Health | An online learning course to help develop an understanding of mental health. | Everyone | General awareness | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Social Isolation Training | A brief introduction to social isolation. In 5 to 10 minutes, learn how social isolation affects mental health and how to step up and help someone who feels isolated. | Everyone (16 years +) | General awareness | Zero Suicide Alliance: training | Free |
Suicide and self harm
Training courses to help raise awareness of suicide, prevention and what to do if someone you know is suicidal.
| Course | Description | Who course is for | Level | Contact | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suicide awareness workshop | How to respond effectively to people experiencing thoughts of suicide comes with experience and practice. To be more confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. | Frontline staff and community groups working with the public. | General awareness | Wellbeing for Life: training and awareness | Free |
| safeTALK | safeTALK is a half day suicide prevention training course that can help you make a difference.Know what to do if someone's suicidal by following the easy to remember TALK steps - Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep-safe. These practical steps offer immediate help to someone having thoughts of suicide and helps you both move forward to connect with more specialised support. | Free for anyone working for a Small or Medium sized organisation (SME) and voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisation with fewer than 250 staff based in County Durham. | Half day | Let's Connect: courses | Check with course provider |
| Certificate in Self Harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention | Flexible learning, online and distance learning courses. | Everyone | Level 2 | DurhamLearn: Certificate in Self Harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention | Check with course provider |
| Bespoke training (suicide) | If U Care Share developed training alongside young people, educators, clinicians, and professionals which is bespoke. Our training has shown it can prevent suicide, give people the confidence to intervene with someone who may be suicidal or support an individual who may have been bereaved by suicide. | Workplaces, schools, communities | Bespoke | If u care share: training | Check with course provider |
| Suicide awareness training | Gain skills and confidence to help someone who may be considering suicide. A 20 minute course. | Aged 16 and over | General awareness | Zero Suicide Alliance: training | Free |
| Managing Suicidal Contacts | This course will equip participants with the skills and confidence to manage a conversation with someone who is having thoughts of suicide or showing signs of suicidal behaviour. | One day | Samaritans: open courses | Check with course provider | |
| Conversations with vulnerable people | This course will equip participants with the skills and confidence to have supportive and effective conversations with vulnerable people. | One day | Samaritans: open courses | Check with course provider | |
| Building resilience and wellbeing | This course will equip participants with practical strategies to strengthen their personal resilience, enhance their wellbeing and prioritise their self-care to respond effectively to challenges in their role and environment. | One day | Samaritans: open courses | Check with course provider | |
| Suicide awareness training - taxi driver edition | The course shares information about suicide and coaches you through a taxi driver and passenger related scenario to help you recognise signs of suicidal behaviour and have a conversation with someone. | Taxi and private hire drivers, but can be taken by anyone over the age of 16. | Zero Suicide Alliance: training | Free | |
| Suicide Awareness Training - university student edition | This edition of our suicide awareness training has been developed specifically for university students and includes information and scenarios that are related to experiences at university. | University students, their family and friends, but can be taken by anyone over the age of 16. | Zero Suicide Alliance: training | Free | |
| Suicide Awareness Training - veteran edition | Developed with Help for Heroes, the aim of this training is to provide you with practice in handling difficult situations where a person may be at risk of suicide. 30 minute online, interactive training course includes three conversation examples: with a loved one, a colleague and a stranger. | Veterans, their family members and friends, but can be taken by anyone aged 16 and over. | Zero Suicide Alliance: training | Free | |
| Suicide Awareness Training - prison edition | The prison edition of suicide awareness training has been developed with support from men who have served time in prison and is based on lived experience and suicide risk in an adult male prison environment.It shares information around risk during the different stages of prison life - entry into prison, life in prison and during the transition from prison to community. | People who are currently in a male UK prison, working in UK male prison or have family and friends that are in prison, but can be taken by anyone over the age of 16. | Zero Suicide Alliance: training | Free | |
| SPOT: Suicide Prevention Overview Tutorial | This course covers:
| Everyone | General awareness | Papyrus | Check with course provider |
| SPEAK: Suicide Prevention Explore Ask Keep Safe | An introduction to suicide prevention skills. Course covers:
| Everyone | General awareness | Papyrus | Check with course provider |
| ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training | A skills building workshop that prepares caregivers to provide suicide suicide first aid interventions. Course includes:
| Everyone | Skill development | Papyrus | Check with course provider |
| Autism and Suicide Awareness Training | Co-produced with people from the autistic community, the training aims to:
| Everyone | General awareness | Zero Suicide Alliance | Free |
Money, health and supporting carers
Training courses designed to offer support for carers, money and health.
Carers
| Course | Description | Who should attend | Training level | Provider | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recognising Carers - Making Every Contact Count | Carer burnout and how to avoid losing your staff and volunteers to carer fatigue. | Professionals who are members of Advice in County Durham | General Awareness | Advice in County Durham | Free |
| Benefits Training | introduction to benefits, Personal Independence Payment, ESA and Limited Capability for Work, Child's Disability Living Allowance and Universal Credit. | Professionals who are members of Advice in County Durham | General awareness | Advice in County Durham | Free |
Health, support and recovery
| Course | Description of training | Who should attend | Training level | Provider | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | Gain an understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness |
| Check with course provider |
| Exploring Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | Exploring Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | Recovery College | Check with course provider |
| Exploring Sleep | Exploring sleep and mental health. | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | Recovery College | Check with course provider |
| Motivation | Understanding motivation | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | Recovery College | Check with course provider |
| Complementary Therapies | Exploring complementary therapies | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | Recovery College | Check with course provider |
| Nature and Wellbeing | Understanding nature's role in wellbeing. | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | Recovery College | Check with course provider |
| Mind, Body and Spirit | Exploring mind, body and spirit. | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | Recovery College | Check with course provider |
| Building Resilience and Wellbeing workshop | Understanding resilience and wellbeing. | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | Recovery College | Check with course provider |
| Understanding Eating Disorders | Develop your understanding of eating disorders. | People with experience of mental illness, including friends and family. | General awareness | DurhamLearn courses | Free |
| Understanding and responding to gambling harms | Free online course, understanding and responding to gambling harms: A brief guide for professionals, will teach you about gambling disorders and how to support someone affected by gambling harms. | Professionals | General awareness | Royal Society for Public Health | Check with provider |
| Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Myth-busting | Find out how talking about cancer can make a real difference in helping people reduce their risk. | Professionals | General awareness | Royal Society for Public Health | Check with provider |
Financial
| Course | Description of training | Who should attend | Training level | Provider | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Money Pension Service | Money and Pension Service provide training to money guiders which are individuals that provide any type of non-regulated money guidance to individuals or groups in the local community. The training would be useful to any staff working in voluntary and community sector organisations providing support services, housing officers, mental health workers, volunteers, etc | Volunteers, staff and community groups | General awareness | Money and Pensions Service | Free |
| Financial Awareness | This workshop gives an introduction to financial awareness topics that include:
| Workplace | General awareness | Durham County Council Email us at publichealth@durham.gov.uk | Free |
Online courses with Recovery College
Recovery College Online provide a range of online educational courses and resources.
Recovery College Online provide a range of online educational courses and resources to people who might be struggling with mental health issues, families, friends, mental health workers and anyone else who might be interested in learning more about mental health and wellbeing.
The free courses have been co-produced by mental health professionals and people with lived experience sharing their stories. Courses cover a variety of topics and are available for friends, family, parents, young people and work based learning.
You can view courses and sign up at Recovery College Online.
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