This training is delivered by members of UON Mental Health Service and is linked to their document on the staff intranet ‘Responding to students in distress’- https://mynorthamptonac.sharepoint.com/sites/staff/Downloads/student-in-distress.pdf

The aims are for staff to gain awareness of reasons why students may experience distress, to learn how to signpost them to the services available and to gain confidence in responding to students in ways appropriate to their role. Session facilitators will provide information and promote discussion in a supportive environment. Participants will be expected to consider and discuss scenarios in small groups.

The training is open to all staff but is most useful to those who have regular contact with students in person, by phone or online.

Objectives-

To gain awareness of mental health difficulties that may affect the student population.

To gain an understanding of the work of the Counselling and Mental Health Team and how to signpost students to these services.

To explore the different ways people experience distress and understand why they may experience distress.

To gain increased confidence in responding to students who are in distress.

To gain an understanding of the importance of maintaining role appropriate boundaries.

To increase knowledge of services available to students and support for staff.

Methods-

Workshop facilitators will provide information and promote discussion in a supportive environment. Participants will be expected to consider and discuss scenarios in small groups.

Outcomes-

To increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the different ways people communicate distress, and offer an opportunity to explore supportive resources available. To increase participants’ confidence in their own abilities to respond when students present in distress, and to consider their response in relation to their role.