Page 49 - Print21 Magazine March April 2021

Mental Health
Mental health classes
and workshops
Man Anchor is running a series of courses, online at present, to enable mental health awareness and response in the workplace.
Man Anchor is a grassroots mental health and well-being movement designed to create opportunities
for discussion, education and action on mental health issues that affect people every day. It understands the power of a simple conversation, and wants to empower individuals with the tools needed to reach their local communities.
Man Anchor runs a number
of different projects within the community, such as the #letstalk workshops, an ambassador program and mental health first aid courses. Its programmes are designed to engage, educate and encourage people to kick– start conversations about wellbeing, and in particular, mental health.
The mental health crisis isn’t going away. It will affect all of us at some time in our lives. The more we understand, the more we can help.
Here is an overview of current courses from Man Anchor:
#letstalk workshop
The #letstalk workshop is designed to engage, educate, empower and encourage people to kick-start conversations about health and mental health within their own circle of family and friends.
The workshops are run in a relaxed and inclusive environment, where Man Anchor helps break down the perceived stigmas and barriers that have historically held people back from reaching out for help, or reaching out to help someone in their life.
Topics Covered:
• Removing perceived stigma
• Raising awareness
• Breaking down barriers
• Creating opportunities
• Normalising the topic and language
• Sharing experiences
• Identifying triggers
• Knowing the signs
• Tools to keep yourself on the
good side of the mental health spectrum
Communication
with Care
Man Anchor says that in life we learn many skills, but rarely do we learn the best way to truly listen. In our world, we need to communicate non- judgementally with people to enable caring and respectful conversations.
The ability to effectively communicate with a person who may be stressed, distressed or in crisis can be the key to providing the vital support needed to help them cope through difficult times.
The Communication with Care workshops empower the participant to develop the core skills and a deeper understanding of how to identify, listen and support someone they are concerned about or may be in crisis. The facilitators work interactively
to provide a safe environment for
the participants to discuss and understand the triggers, signs, symptoms and the more common barriers that friends, family members or colleagues may be facing during
a mental health crisis, across a wide spectrum of disorders, from panic attacks and depression to suicide. Participants learn how to connect, communicate and approach people confidently to ask the tricky and often deeper questions, building trust in their own ability to provide help.
Topics Covered:
• Understanding stress, distress and crisis
• Recognising barriers to getting and giving support
• Recognising supportive and unsupportive coping strategies
• Communication skills
• Suicide awareness
• Finding supportive resources • Self care
You will be supplied with a useful 20-page workbook for the courses.
These are four-hour courses which are run in a relaxed atmosphere by
a qualified facilitator. We encourage conversation, interaction and sharing experiences. Any adult (18 years plus) can attend the courses.
The courses will improve your knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and how they affect people every day. You will learn how to support people in crisis until a mental health professional can be contacted.
These courses are for anyone who cares about the wellbeing of people around them.
Note: These courses are not a therapy or a support group.
For more information go to www.mananchor.com.au 21
Mental health first aid course
The Standard Mental Health First Aid course will teach you how to provide initial support to other adults who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until appropriate professional help is received, or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence-based action plan.
This course is based on guidelines developed through the expert consensus of people with lived experience of mental health problems and professionals.
Topics Covered:
Depression
Anxiety
Psychosis
Substance use problems
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours Non-suicidal self-injury
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Note: This course is not a therapy or a support group.
This is a 12-hour course which is usually delivered as either a two-day training package (six hours per day), or as four separate modules (three hours each). There is also a blended option, with four hours face- to-face and a six-hour online component.
Any adult (18 years plus) can attend this course.
You can demonstrate your mental health first
aid skills by becoming an Accredited Mental Health First Aider. Complete an online assessment after the course to become accredited.
Print21 MARCH/APRIL 2021 49