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Mental Health Awareness - Basic Course Outline

The idea behind the course is to help give people a greater understand of others and how to relate to them and also give an insight into their own lives. As the course is aimed at promoting mental health, we purposely don’t go through the various mental disorders such as schizophrenia, psychoses etc as these as many people, even with the same diagnosis, might behave very differently. Once people are labelled with a psychiatric disorder, it can be very difficult for them to be seen as anything else. Our approach is to help people look at their own perceptions and help them to see people (even those who do not have mental ill-health in a more open way. (The Royal College of Psychiatrists produce an excellent range of online leaflets on various conditions) which can be access from here)

The course in split into 4 main areas:

FEARS AND FANTASIES

What is it that comes to mind when we think of “Mental Health” or Mental Illness”? What expectations (reasonable or unreasonable) do people have in taking the course. What concerns do people have about mental health including concerns about their own. Some suggestions from past groups:

* Will I become mentally ill?

* How do I talk to a mentalist?

* How do I relate to someone who is in a wheelchair?

* Are mentally ill people dangerous?

DO YOU HEAR ME?

One of the biggest problems for people with mental health problems is how others relate to them and how they relate to other people. The course looks at general approach to relating to people.

* How much of our communication is the actual words we use? (Surprisingly little)

* The difference between listening and merely hearing what others say.

* Examples and suggestions on how to communicate effectively and non-judgementally

* How labels and stereotypes affect us. Do we judge people by what they are or who they are?

VOICES IN OUR HEAD

We all hear “voices”.

For some it is the voice that says,

“I mustn’t eat that chocolate cake, I’m on a diet”.

For others it’s

“I must get some money out of the machine, I’m short of cash” or

“we’re short of milk, I must remember to buy some”.

These are totally natural and we’re so used to this/these that we think nothing about them. For some, the voices are more disturbing:

“If they really knew what you were like, they wouldn’t like you.”

“You’re too fat.”

“Everything around me is crawling with germs, I must wash myself thoroughly or I might get infected.”

“Ambulances only drive through town to persecute me.” 

How we come to have these voices is a matter of fierce debate but a basic view of how we come to understand the world and how we deal with it in day-to-day situations can give a useful insight and understanding.

* Understanding how people relate to the world and how we can relate to them (Johari Window)

* How do people develop and grow? How can we help and nurture people to grow? (Dynamic Cycle)

* What is it like to have Schizophrenia?  (Role play)

FEEDBACK

Did the course cover all the expectations or concerns originally expressed?

Recap on the any questions posed at the beginning to make sure they were covered appropriately.