Education and Training

MHERC is well known for the delivery of quality mental health workforce development. Our education workshops are for anyone working or studying in the field of mental health. Workshops will enhance particpants' knowledge, skills and insight about mental illness from a medical/consumer perspective with a focus on strengths and recovery.

A Community/Consumer Perspective

Half Day Workshops - 9.30am to 12.30pm

Who can participate?

People working with anyone whose lives are affected by mental illness.
Students studying National Certificate/Diploma in Mental Health Support Work, Social Work, Counselling or similar.

Cost

$55.00 (inc. GST) per person per topic.

Venue - Click here to download map

Mental Health Education and Resource Centre
Level 2 - Securities House
221 Gloucester Street
Latimer Square
Christchurch
Parking
- Metered around Latimer Square ($2.50 per hour - maximum 2 hours)
- Manchester Street Parking Building - (FREE parking for the first hour)
Please DO NOT park your car under the MHERC building - it will be towed away.

Topics

Anxiety Disorders - Co-presented by Paula Rountree and Sue Ricketts
Borderline Personality Disorder - Presented by Suzan Munro
Bipolar Disorder - Co-presented by Frances Caldwell and Carl Kirk
Eating Disorders and Related Issues - Presented by Kate Yeoman

A Clinical/Consumer Perspective

Half Day Workshops - 9.30am to 12.30pm

Who can participate?

People working with anyone whose lives are affected by mental illness.
Priority is given to staff employed by organisations with a CDHB Mental Health Contract.

Cost

CDHB subsidised rate: $35.00 inc. GST per person per topic.
Non-subsidised rate: $55.00 inc. GST per person per topic.

Venue - Click here to download map

Topics

Asian Mental Health - A Chinese Perspective - Presented by Simon Tam
Managing Challenging Behaviours - Presenter to be advised
Introduction to Recovery - Presented by Andrea Taylor
Maori Mental Health - Presenter to be advised
MEDICINES used in the treatment of Mental Illness - Ellen McCrae/Pharmacist & Dr Jane Elmslie/Dietician
Mental Health and Intellectual Disability - Presented by Chris Taua
Mental Health and Older People - Presenter to be advised
Navigating Your Way Through CDHB Mental Health Services - Presented by Wendy Lowerson and Craig Cowie
Safer Home Visiting - Presented by Dawn Nolan
Schizophrenia - Co-presented by Andrea Taylor and Joyce Harris
Understanding Depression - Co-presented by Dawn Nolan and Grant Cooper

Full Day Workshops - 9.30am to 4.30pm

Cost

CDHB subsidised rate: $75.00 inc. GST per person per topic.
Non-subsidised rate: $95.00 inc. GST per person per topic.

Venue - Click here to download map

Oxford Tce Baptist Church
Cnr Madras St and Oxford Tce
Christchurch
Parking
Limited parking available behind the church - NB only on the shingle area.

Topics

Integrating Recovery into Practice - Presented by Andrea Taylor
Pacific Culture and Mental Health - Presented by Su’a Magele Tagaloa Nua Elizabeth Su’a
Reflective Practice - Becoming an Effective Practitioner - Presented by Kirsty Barber
Strengths Based Practice in Mental Health Support Work - Presented by Kirsty Barber
Stress Management - Presenter to be advised

Anxiety Disorders

Objectives
• To provide a general introduction about the experiences and causes of anxiety. Particular focus will be given to agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder and social phobia.
• To raise the awareness of course participants of the factors influencing paths to recovery from anxiety disorder, including an overview of anxiety management techniques.

Session Outline
• Introduction to the Anxiety Disorders
• Diagnosis criteria for Anxiety Disorders (DSMIV)
• Anxiety and the Anxiety Cycle – including risk factors and causes
• Social Phobia
• Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Treatment options
• Supporting a person with an Anxiety Disorder

Learning Outcomes
Participants will …
• Have knowledge of the seven groups of Anxiety Disorders and the key features of each disorder
• Be aware that the symptoms of panic attacks are very similar to other physical illnesses, and that a diagnosis in the first instance should be made by a health professional
• Have an increased knowledge of Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in relation to some of the symptoms and behaviours of these disorders
• Be aware of treatment and support available in Christchurch for people with Anxiety Disorders
• Have an increased insight into supporting someone with an anxiety disorder

Presenter’s Profile - Paula Rountree
Paula presents her knowledge of Anxiety Disorders, particularly Agoraphobia and Panic Attacks from her own personal experience. She has a 12 year history with the Agoraphobic Support Group (Canterbury) as a key committee member. Over the years has been involved in facilitating workshops and education to a number of community groups and agencies, as well as providing peer support to others with Anxiety Disorders. She has also been employed as a Community Support Worker for a number of years with people with the dual diagnosis of intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. Paula has a Certificate in Community Psychiatric Care from the University of Otago. She currently works at MHERC where she has been employed since 1998. In addition, she continues to build on her knowledge of Anxiety Disorders through attendance at workshops and conferences. Paula is a committee member of Anxiety Support Canterbury.

Presenter’s Profile - Sue Ricketts
Sue has qualifications in teaching and counselling, a background in office administration and personal experience of anxiety and depression. She was the co-ordinator for four years of the Joint Anxiety Disorders Group, comprising the Obsessive Compulsive Support Group and the Social Phobia Support Group before joining the Psychiatric Consumers Trust as administrator in 2007. She has a Diploma in Mental Health Support Work from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and continues to build her understanding of anxiety and anxiety disorders through her contact with the support groups and ongoing reading. Sue is a committee member of Anxiety Support Canterbury.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Asian Mental Health - A Chinese Perspective - To be advised

Presenter’s Profile - Simon Tam
Simon arrived in NZ some 30 years ago as a migrant from Hong Kong. He works closely with Chinese and mainstream communities, International Language Schools, the Christchurch Casino, Corrections Department and the Police around the issues of problem gambling.
A highly regarded professional, Simon has presented at national and international conferences. He has recently completed a Research Project with Wayne Reid (Partnership Health) on the Healthcare Needs of Asian People in the wider Christchurch area.
Simon has a Diploma in Social Work, a Diploma in Drug & Alcohol Counselling and a Certificate of Attendance for Supervision Training with Margaret Morrell. He is a member of the ‘Drug & Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa NZ’, ‘Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers’ and is on the Asian Advisory Council with the Christchurch Police.
Simon is the South Island Asian Services Project Leader and Counsellor/Community Social Worker for the Problem Gambling Foundation in Christchurch. He previously worked for Child, Youth and Family as a residential social worker.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Objectives
• To provide a in-depth description of the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder
• To enable participants to support and communicate more effectively with someone living with this disorder through a greater understanding and awareness.

Session Outline
• How does living with Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affect my life?
• The use of labels and coping with discrimination and stigma.
• How I manage my medication regime.
• The importance of having a multi-disciplinary team working together.
• What is important when forming treatment / crisis plans?
• Hospital, emergency respite, respite care and living independently.
• What has and has not been helpful in my recovery.
• Why change is frightening and how to work through the fear.
• Understanding different thought processes.
• Self-harm and addictive behaviours and how I regained control in my life.
• How to manage challenging behaviours.
• Setting boundaries and expectations.
• The importance of building a good sense of self-esteem/self-worth.
• Forming healthier relationships.
• Parenting and family issues.
• What practical things that have helped me to live a healthy lifestyle.
• Why it is important not to give up on your clients.
• Why it is important to laugh and have a good sense of humour!

Learning Outcomes
Participants will…
• Gain a greater understanding of the complexities of living with Borderline Personality Disorder and co-occurring mental illnesses
• Have an increased knowledge of how to support and encourage someone with Borderline Personality Disorder
• Become more aware of how the Strengths Approach can assist recovery

Presenter’s Profile – Suzan Munro
Suzan created her own business ‘Changing Views’ out of a need to have quality, consumer education in the community. She has been providing education since 2006 to groups and organisations about what it is like to live with a mental illness while maintaining a satisfying and productive life that suits her needs and lifestyle.
Suzan shares her story about her personal experience in the mental health system spanning more than 20 years. She describes the many skills/tools she has learnt in her journey towards successful recovery. Suzan promotes a future-focused way of thinking in the hope that other people who live with a mental illness are given the same chances to live the life that they desire.
Suzan has presented to Community Organisations, SIT/CPIT students - nursing and mental health, Dentists and Specialist CDHB Mental Health Services.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Bipolar Disorder

Objectives
To provide information about bipolar disorder to interested people, particularly those working in predominantly non-clinical community organisations who may deal with clients who have mental illness. It is hoped that by gaining a greater understanding of bipolar, people working with those who have the disorder will be able to offer a more empathetic and informed service to their clients (friends, family members or acquaintances).

Session Outline
• The medical view of Bipolar including its prevalence, genetic influences and treatment
• The effects of Bipolar from a family perspective
• Personal experience of living with Bipolar Disorder
• The impact of Bipolar Disorder in terms of energy levels, thinking patterns and behaviour
• A peer support view of the work undertaken at Bipolar Support Canterbury.
• Ways of living well and managing Bipolar Disorder

Learning Outcomes
Participants will…
• Have a knowledge of the causes, symptoms and treatment of Bipolar Disorder
• Gain insight about how bipolar disorder affects people with the disorder and their families
• Have a greater knowledge of how to support people who are affected by Bipolar
• Understand the importance of working together to create individualised recovery plans

Presenter’s Profile - Carl Kirk
Carl has worked in the mental health sector since 1996. He began his career in the mental health field primarily as an advocate in various consumer and focus groups.
Carl has been a Board Member of Stepping Stone Trust for 13 years and has also served on other committees and has been involved with various organisations and groups over that time.
In 2004, he completed a Certificate in Social Service Work at CPIT. While studying, Carl began co-facilitating a support group at Bipolar Support Canterbury, as part of his placement requirements.
He is currently employed as a peer support worker at Bipolar Support Canterbury working with people on a one-to-one basis. Carl also facilitates support and education groups.

Presenter’s Profile – Frances Caldwell
Frances is the family peer worker at Bipolar Support Canterbury. Her knowledge of bipolar is based particularly on the experience of having a family member with the disorder. She is also currently doing a Masters of Education and works as a research assistant and tutor at the University of Canterbury in the areas of education, disability and inclusion. Previous work has included educational theatre and workshop facilitation around issues of mental illness as well as the provision of career coaching and study support for people with a range of disabilities.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Eating Disorders and Related Issues

Objectives
• To provide people working in mental health with information and skills to support them in their work with clients affected by eating disorders or other food and body image issues.
• To support and encourage individuals and agencies to promote healthy, peaceful relationships with food and positive attitudes towards body image in their workplaces and client work.

Session Outline
• Characteristics of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder
• The social, cultural and individual factors that influence the development of difficulties with food and/or body image
• The diet/binge cycle and associated medical problems
• Internal dialogue experienced by someone affected by an eating disorder
• Understanding, working with and preventing eating issues
• Creating change and promoting supportive attitudes within workplaces
• Working with clients towards recovery: case studies

Learning Outcomes
Participants will …
• Have a knowledge of eating disorder characteristics and symptoms, and an understanding of broader eating and body image difficulties
• Have increased awareness of the social and cultural factors that encourage eating and body image difficulties and knowledge of strategies to challenge and negotiate these factors
• Have a greater understanding of the experiences and internal dialogue of people affected by eating disorders
• Have basic skills, strategies and knowledge to aid their work with clients who have eating and body image difficulties
• Be aware of the treatment and support services available to people dealing with eating disorders and/or food and body image issues in Christchurch

Presenter’s Profile - Kate Yeoman
Kate Yeoman is a counsellor and educator at (EAT) Eating Awareness Team. EAT is a Christchurch-based community agency that provides support, counselling and information to people dealing with food and body image issues, as well as to their families and friends. Kate has been involved with EAT for over seven years and has a wealth of experience and knowledge of working with clients with eating disorders and other food and body image issues.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Integrating Recovery into Practice - A Clinician's, consumer's and family's perspective

Objectives
This workshop is for people working with those who have experienced mental illness. This is a follow on from the “Introduction to the principles of Recovery”. The word Recovery is used extensively across a wide range of Mental Health Services. This is an opportunity to reflect on what this means to workers, service users/consumers, family/whanau, and the benefits of working in this way.

Session Outline
1. Review the definition of Recovery
2. Importance of establishing relationships
3. Family/Whanau perspective
4. Self awareness and communication
5. Service user/consumer perspective
6. Working in partnership with diverse cultures
7. Personal resourcefulness of people with mental illness

Learning Outcomes
Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on:
• Recognising and supporting personal resourcefulness
• Our own self-awareness and the skills needed to communicate respectfully
• Developing good relationships with service users/consumers
• Family/Whanau perspectives and how to support their participation
• Working in partnership with service users from diverse cultures
• The role of service user/consumer participation

Presenter’s Profile - Andrea Taylor
Andrea lives in Christchurch and delivers training for people who work in Mental Health Services. She has been involved in delivering training to the NGO sector since Specialist Mental Health Services of the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) offered education/training as part of their liaison relationship.
She has also tutored on the Mental Health Support Work Certificate and Social Services Diploma at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
Andrea is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, with 25 years experience working in a diverse range of services/roles within Specialist Mental Health Service of the CDHB. She is currently working as Primary Care Mental Health Liaison for the Christchurch Primary Health Organisation. She also offers Professional Supervision.
Being a member of the Drama Team (CDHB) for five years was a highlight for her as she experienced the power of using drama as a tool, to increase awareness/education about mental illness.
Andrea has established good working relationships both within Specialist Mental Health Services and throughout the NGO Sector which have been invaluable over the years.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Introduction to Recovery

Objectives
This workshop is for people working with those who have experienced mental illness. This is an introduction to the principles of recovery and what it is to work in this way. We will explore what it is meant by “the ability to live well in the presence or absence of one’s mental illness”?

Session Outline
• Defining recovery
• Themes in recovery
• The importance of hope
• Dealing with grief and loss
• Service environments that support recovery

Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain a better understanding of:-
• The principles of recovery and how to apply these
• Importance of empathising with the impact of mental illness
• Working in collaboration with service users
• Barriers to working within principles of recovery

Presenter’s Profile - Andrea Taylor
Andrea lives in Christchurch and delivers training for people who work in Mental Health Services. She has been involved in delivering training to the NGO sector since Specialist Mental Health Services of the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) offered education/training as part of their liaison relationship.
She has also tutored on the Mental Health Support Work Certificate and Social Services Diploma at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
Andrea is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, with 25 years experience working in a diverse range of services/roles within Specialist Mental Health Service of the CDHB. She is currently working as Primary Care Mental Health Liaison for the Christchurch Primary Health Organisation. She also offers Professional Supervision.
Being a member of the Drama Team (CDHB) for five years was a highlight for her as she experienced the power of using drama as a tool, to increase awareness/education about mental illness.
Andrea has established good working relationships both within Specialist Mental Health Services and throughout the NGO Sector which have been invaluable over the years.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Managing Challenging Behaviours - Details to be advised

Presenter’s Profile - To be advised

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Maori Mental Health - To be advised

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

MEDICINES used in the treatment of Mental Illness

Objectives
• To give participants an appreciation of the place of medicines in the overall treatment plan
• To introduce the participants to the groups of medicines typically used in mental health
• To provide an outline to the basics of psychopharmacology (how the medicine acts in the body and what the body does with the medicine)
• To outline the principles of administration of medicines
• To provide an understanding of adverse effects of medicines and medicine interactions and how to monitor and respond to these effects
• To give an overview of some alternative or over the counter remedies and their impact on prescribed medicines when used concurrently

Session Outline
• The role of medicines in the overall treatment plan
• Medicines used for the different mental illness i.e. depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety
• Principles of psychopharmacology as it applies to the role of community support workers
• Adverse effects to medicines
• Clinical alerts with key medicines

Learning Outcomes
Participants will …
• Have an increased knowledge of the different medicines used in mental illness and how they act in the body
• Be aware of potential side effects and interactions that may occur with medicines, their consequences and how these can be limited or avoided
• Learn about the weight related side effects of medications and lifestyles changes to help prevent or safely manage weight gain, diabetes and lipid disorders such as high cholestorol
• gain a knowledge of some of the problem issues when taking medicines such as the impact of other disease states, increasing age, pregnancy, breastfeeding or using other therapies concurrently
• Be aware of where and when to seek further information relating to the use of medicines in mental illness
• Have an increased insight into how to support clients with their medicine therapy

Presenter’s Profiles - Ellen McCrae
Ellen’s qualification is in pharmacy and over the years she has worked in research, administration and both community and hospital pharmacy. She has had close to 20 years experience working in mental health and older person’s health principally within the Canterbury District Health Board and its predecessors. Ellen has facilitated education for nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals and support workers over that period.

Dr Jane Elmslie - Jane is a registered dietitian who has worked both as a clinician and researcher in mental health for over 20 years. She has a particular interest in the weight related side effects of the medications used in mental health settings and the treatment and prevention of medication related weight gain. Jane also has a strong interest in the other nutrition related adverse effects of medications including cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes and disturbances of bowel function. She is a co-author of the popular Why Weight book and is committed to finding better solutions to medication related weight gain.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Mental Health and Intellectual Disability

Objectives
This workshop is primarily for those working with people with an intellectual disability. Participants will learn how to:
• recognise when a person with an intellectual disability might have a mental illness
• support the person to get help; and
• be a valuable part of the assessment and treatment process.
They will also gain awareness of the ways in which they can help to improve the quality of life of people with an intellectual disability, so that mental health problems are less likely to occur.

Session Outline
1. Introduction and overview
People with an intellectual disability are vulnerable to mental health problems and it can be difficult to diagnose the problem. This workshop will examine the reasons why this occurs.
2. How a good diagnosis is made and monitoring the effect of treatment
Carers have an important role to play in the assessment and treatment of mental health problems and in recognising that the person may need psychiatric care. A process of working with mental healthcare providers, based on best practice, is described with clear examples that illustrate each step.
3. Promoting mental health for people with intellectual disability
Families, carers and everybody in the community can help people, with an intellectual disability, lead happier lives by:
• promoting a positive view of themselves as ‘people first’
• improving the living environment to maximize social support and empowerment; and
• teaching adjustment skills
so that a person with an intellectual disability has the best chance of coping with adversity and stress.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
• be aware of the historical changes in the community’s understanding of this issue
• understand reasons why a person with an intellectual disability might be likely to have a mental health problem and the difficulties in discovering what that problem might be.
• know how to use an assessment and monitoring process to help identify behavioural difficulties of a person with an intellectual disability that could be related to a mental health problem.
• work on a plan to become more aware of mental health promotion in the lives of people with intellectual disability.

Presenter’s Profile - Chris Taua
Chris is a Registered Nurse with a clinical background in Mental Health, who currently works as a principal lecturer at CPIT. Her primary teaching areas are mental health and disability and she teaches at various levels from the Level 4 Mental health Support work Certificate to level 7 graduate nursing.
Chris has a Master of Nursing (with Distinction), Post Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, a Bachelor of Nursing and a Certificate in Adult teaching. She is currently a PhD candidate looking at the mental health needs of people with Intellectual disability. Chris is on the Mental Health Commission Advisory team and also offers Professional Supervision.
Chris has a passion for teaching and guiding people to understand and the complexities and challenges that working in the mental health and disability areas may bring. Having long been aware of the disparities served to people with mental illness and/or disability Chris has fought hard through her study, practice roles and teaching to change the power imbalances that have been apparent for too long for these groups within society.
The core values (dignity, equality, justice and autonomy) in her work are underpinned by the simple but critical belief that every human being is an individual subject who must be protected against the abuse of power and is entitled to be the author of their own life. In her various roles she has strived to provide leadership and encourage best standards of practice to ensure positive outcomes for all consumers within the services. Chris sees a moment of discrimination by another as a teachable moment and believes every person has the right to learn.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with her partner and adult children, her grandchildren, a close group of friends, volunteer work, a good book and a nice glass of wine.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Mental Health of Older People

Objectives
This session is for people who work in services for older people or who want to update their personal knowledge about mental health issues faced by older people. Carers and family members will find the session very interesting, as will older people supporting friends and partners. The experience of getting older can be viewed very positively and mental health challenges can be met with optimism not despair. Good treatments with successful outcomes are possible for anyone of any age.

Session Outline
1. The challenging of aging well
2. The developmental tasks of aging
3. Misleading assumptions about aging and mental health
4. The full range of mental illness
5. Anxiety and depression in later years
6. Update on dementia
7. Caring for carers

Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain a greater understanding of
• The different types mental health disorders in general
• The specific challenges that can be faced by older people
• How getting older carries benefits as well as risks

Participants will also
• Question assumptions they may have had about the mental health of older people
• Learn more about dementia in the general community and special groups
• Discuss aspects of the caring role that can be stressful

Presenter’s Profile - To be advised

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Navigating Your Way Through CDHB Mental Health Services

Objectives/Learning Outcomes
An interactive workshop – participants will gain:
• A broad overview of Specialist Mental Health Services (SMHS) structure
• An increased understanding of how the mental health system functions, how it interfaces internally and externally
• Knowledge about accessing mental health services
• An increased understanding of mental illness in relation to the clients you work with
• An increased understanding of practical interventions that will improve your client’s mental health outcomes
• An increased knowledge of working effectively with the MH system so your client’s outcomes are improved

Session Outline
Overview of Mental Health Services
1. History
2. Description
3. Functions
4. Criteria
5. Goals
6. Sites
7. The Mental Health Act

Access to Mental Health Services – Crisis and non-crisis function
1. Single Point of Entry (SPOE)
2. Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES)
3. Emergency Department
4. Community Mental Health Services
5. Primary Health
6. Respite
7. Needs Assessment
8. When to access Mental Health Services
9. When to call the Police

Mental Illness
1. Mental illness – practical knowledge – question / answer session
2. Practical aspects of care management
3. Risk management / de-escalation
4. Safety
5. Privacy
6. Families / whanau
7. Cultural aspects
8. Medication

The interface between SMHS and the NGO sector

The future of Mental Health Services in Canterbury

Presenter’s Profiles - Wendy Lowerson - Registered Mental Nurse (RMN). MSc Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
Nurse Consultant - Rehabilitation Service. Wendy works for Canterbury District Health Board - Specialist Mental Health Services as a Nurse Consultant and has more than 20 yrs experience working in a variety of Psychiatric / Mental Health community and inpatient settings.
Specialising in Community Mental Health Nursing she has worked in an Assertive Outreach Team, a Crisis Response Team and a liaison Psychiatry/Self Harm service, as well as spending 4yrs as a Practice Mental Health Nurse in Primary Care providing assessment and triage/access to secondary Mental Health Services and brief psychological interventions to people presenting with mild to moderated mental health difficulties.
Wendy came to New Zealand in 2006 and spent her first year in Adult Inpatient services before moving to West Sector Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) as a Community Nurse Case Manager. She then went to work for South Sector CMHT as Clinical Nurse Specialist before taking up her current role of Nurse Consultant in October 2008.
Wendy is actively involved in Clinical nursing within the field of psychiatric rehabilitation and in training and development.

Craig Cowie - Registered Comprehensive Nurse (RCN). Dip HlthSci (MH Nursing)
Nurse Consultant - Adult Community Service. Craig has worked in the mental health sector for 22 years. In nursing roles, he has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings in Acute, Forensic, Rehabilitation and Community settings.
As a Clinical Coordinator, he worked for 4 years at the Acute Inpatient Service and for 2 years at Youth Inpatient Service. Following this, Craig became the Unit Manager at Youth Inpatient Unit, Child and Family Unit/Child Day Programme and Youth Day Programme. He then worked for South Island Shared Services Ltd (SISSAL) as a Project Manager in mental health.
In 2007, Craig returned to the CDHB in his current role as Nurse Consultant - Adult Community Service responsible for service and nursing planning and development for 13 outpatient teams.
Craig has a particular interest in nursing development, especially in the support, development and research of nursing clinical supervision.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Pacific Culture and Mental Health

Objectives
To offer a Diverse Islands Perspective on Mental Health / Illness so that participants can gain an understanding of Pacific Island culture and what this means for the health and well being of their clients.
To provide an interactive workshop with plenty of opportunity for questions.

Session Outline
• Fonofale Model
• Pacific Family Typologies
• Cultural Relativism
• Advantages & Risks of Working Across Culture
• Protocols, Values and Beliefs
• Participants’ Thoughts and Questions

Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain an understanding of:
• The Fonofale Model of Health & Wellbeing
• Traditional and modern Pacific families
• The diversity of cultures amongst Pacific culture
• How to work cross culturally with Pacific people
• Pacific Island customs and beliefs

Presenters Profile - SU’A MAGELE TAGALOA NUA ELIZABETH SU’A – QSM; Dip Counselling; Cert S.W., E.N.
Current Positions Manager - Tangata Atumotu Trust (Part-time) - Managing Director – Su’a & Associates Consultancy Limited.
Community President – Samoan Advisory Council of Chiefs Christchurch Inc; Chairperson – National Samoan Advisory Council Aotearoa NZ; Chairperson – Samoa E Le Galo Radio Trust Christchurch; Chairperson – ‘Iva’ Village Group.
Cultural Achievements Holder of 3 Samoan Chieftain Titles: Su’a, Magele & Tagaloa.
Areas of Expertise Culture (in many aspects e.g. working across culture, cultural safety etc) - Child Protection; Matters pertaining to Physical, Sexual, Mental Abuse & Neglect; Providing Cultural Training; Health; Social Services; Counselling; Interpreting/Translating.
Published Documents Co-Author – ‘Counselling the Skill of finding Solutions to Problems’ (R.Manthei); Developed Pacific Guidelines on Risk Estimation for CYF; Developed Pacific Perspective on ‘Recognition of Child Abuse and Neglect’ CYF, Ministry Social Development (Both Documents are still in use by CYF).

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Reflective Practice - Becoming an Effective Practitioner

Objectives
This interactive workshop will explore the question ‘How do we know we are effective?’ in our work supporting people at challenging times in their lives. Focusing on reflective practice as individuals, teams and organisations, participants in this workshop will recognise where their strengths and resourcefulness lie and develop strategies for reflecting on and enhancing their current capacities.
A maxim that underpins strengths-based practice is ‘change only happens when it’s noticed’. In this workshop we will develop techniques for the conscious, purposeful noticing of ourselves and ‘others’ that are the first steps to reflecting on our engagement with people, relationships, events and circumstances in our professional lives. By paying attention to what we do well, the times that we have succeeded and the growth of our competence we become energised and encouraged to continue our journey towards these goals.

Session Outline
1. How do we know if we are effective in our practice?
2. Identifying personal strengths and resourcefulness in relation to our work.
3. Exploring our triggers and stressors.
4. How to develop strategies for managing personal triggers and stress.
5. What is reflective practice?
6. Reflective practice and effective outcomes for service users.
7. Developing techniques for the conscious, purposeful noticing of ourselves and ‘others’.
8. Strategies for becoming a ‘reflective’ organisation.

Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the workshop participants will be able to:
1. Identify their personal strengths and resourcefulness and describe the circumstances in which these are effective.
2. Identify and describe some personal triggers and stressors and have developed some strategies for managing these.
3. Explore and reflectively analyse situations in order to enhance their practice and develop strategies to effect positive outcomes.
4. Discuss the role that reflective practice, as individuals, teams and organisations, has on the effectiveness of outcomes for service users.
5. Investigate some processes for reflective practice in teams or peer mentoring/supervision within their organisation.
6. Identify potential strategies for becoming a reflective or ‘learning’ organisation.

Presenter’s Profile - Kirsty Barber
Kirsty has been involved in mental health services and training for many years. She is particularly interested in mental health promotion, community development and social inclusion with emphasis on Recovery and Strengths Based Practice in both individual and organisational practice.
Kirsty has a Masters in Health Science (Hons 1st Class), Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Teaching.
She is currently undertaking a PhD entitled – ‘Realising Our Best Intentions: Vision, Values and Voice in Community NGO Mental Health Services’.
Kirsty has a particular commitment to mental health support workers as agents of social change in the mental health sector - all human lives are heroic journeys and despite moments of desperation, hopelessness and isolation, there are times of achievement, strengths discovered, and challenges overcome.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Safer Home Visiting

Objectives
This session is for people who work in organisations that provide health and community services in people’s home environment. The safety of all people is considered to be of the highest importance and travelling around the community and working in private homes presents potential risks to staff and clients that are directly addressed in this presentation.

Session Outline
• Introducing the range of risks and difficulties
• Safety issues on the road
• Home safety
• The threats posed by clients, family and pets
• Specific actions that decrease risk and increase confidence in dealing with potentially unpleasant or dangerous situations
• The importance of professional boundaries

Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain a greater understanding of
• The range of risks and potential problems
• Organisational and personal behaviour to increase safety levels
• An appreciation of the need for ongoing training in relevant areas
Participants with have an opportunity
• Discuss risks and hazards with others who do similar work
• Practise skills in dealing with dogs
• To reflect on their practise, especially in relation to professional boundaries
• Review their personal safety plan.

Presenter’s Profile - Dawn Nolan RN., Cert Teaching., Pg. Cert. IPT.
Dawn Nolan lives in rural North Canterbury and delivers training and clinical supervision for people who work in mental health related services around New Zealand. She holds a Clinical Lecturer position at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, teaching on the Bachelor of Nursing programme and in Graduate Nursing Studies.
Her primary work is as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Rural Specialist Mental Health Services for the Canterbury District Health Board.
Dawn hails from Shropshire, England where she qualified as a teacher in adult education in 1982 and as a psychiatric nurse in 1989. She has worked in England and New Zealand in educational and mental health services. Her work has been in a variety of hospital and community settings, including health authority specialist services, private practice and NGO’s such as MIND.
Dawn’s philosophy on mental health recovery is healing through self empowerment and advocacy of patients’ rights. Her area of specialist interest is psychotherapy and she is currently working towards her Masters Degree based in interpersonal psychotherapy.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Schizophrenia

Objective

Session Outline

Learning Outcomes

Presenter’s Profile - Joyce Harris
Joyce currently works as a fieldworker for Supporting Families in Mental Illness - Schizophrenia Fellowship Pegasus Bay. She has worked for the Schizophrenia Fellowship since 1991 in many different roles.
After completing the Certificate in Community Psychiatric Care in 1993, Joyce began working for the fellowship at the Drop-In centre for those living with a major mental illness. In 1997, she became a fieldworker who provided support, advocacy and education to families around the issues of living and supporting someone with schizophrenia and/or related disorders.
For the last 15 years, Joyce has delivered education on Schizophrenia and/or the Family Perspective to Nursing Degree students at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and at the Southern Institute of Technology - Mental Health Support Worker Courses. In addition, she regularly gives presentations on Schizophrenia at the Mental Health Education & Resource Centre.
Joyce has also completed a 3 year course in Clinical Supervision with the CDHB.

Presenter's Profile - Andrea Taylor
Andrea lives in Christchurch and delivers training for people who work in Mental Health Services. She has been involved in delivering training to the NGO sector since Specialist Mental Health Services of the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) offered education/training as part of their liaison relationship.
She has also tutored on the Mental Health Support Work Certificate and Social Services Diploma at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
Andrea is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, with 25 years experience working in a diverse range of services/roles within Specialist Mental Health Service of the CDHB. She is currently working as Primary Care Mental Health Liaison for the Christchurch Primary Health Organisation. She also offers Professional Supervision.
Being a member of the Drama Team (CDHB) for five years was a highlight for her as she experienced the power of using drama as a tool, to increase awareness/education about mental illness.
Andrea has established good working relationships both within Specialist Mental Health Services and throughout the NGO Sector which have been invaluable over the years.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Strengths Based Practice in Mental Health Support Work - Kirsty Barber

Session Outline
Turning rhetoric into reality - the real challenge!
This interactive workshop will explore ways that community support workers can create space and opportunities for people, affected by mental illness to experience their own competence, autonomy and personal power. It will also examine some of the findings of Kirsty’s research – “It Ain’t Rocket Science: Exploring a Role for Strengths Based Practice in Mental Health Support Work”, and the implications for mental health support workers and their practice.

Learning Outcomes
Participants will have:
1. An understanding of Strengths-based Theory
2. Explored the role that Strengths-based practice has in community support work.
3. Appreciate the benefits for clients in adopting a strengths-based approach.
4. Knowledge of how to apply the principles of Strengths-based practice in their work

Presenter’s Profile - Kirsty Barber
Kirsty has been involved in mental health services and training for many years. She is particularly interested in mental health promotion, community development and social inclusion with emphasis on Recovery and Strengths Based Practice in both individual and organisational practice.
Kirsty has a Masters in Health Science (Hons 1st Class), Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Teaching.
She is currently undertaking a PhD entitled – ‘Realising Our Best Intentions: Vision, Values and Voice in Community NGO Mental Health Services’.
Kirsty has a particular commitment to mental health support workers as agents of social change in the mental health sector - all human lives are heroic journeys and despite moments of desperation, hopelessness and isolation, there are times of achievement, strengths discovered, and challenges overcome.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Stress Management - Getting the Right Balance

Objectives
Understanding the theory skills and techniques of managing stress, so that we can relieve the restlessness and tension that stands between us and a richer fuller healthier life……… by means of:
Optimism, Hope, Cooperation, Enjoyment, Pleasure, Fun and Laughter!
The workshop format will include short talks, small group discussions, play, storytelling and personal discoveries.

Session Outline
• The Nature of Stress - what it is and what it isn’t.
• The Stress Response and the Relaxation Response.
• Putting ourselves first - ‘being selfish’.
• Breathing, thinking, doing, being active and procrastinating.
• Challenging negative-thinking habits.
• De-cluttering your life.
• Building our own immunity.
• Healing Touch.
• Exercise - everyone’s stress buster.
• Laughter, Humour, Friendship, Projects, Connection, Friends & Family.

Learning Outcomes
• Understanding the origins, the impact and the cost of stress.
• Understanding the fight/flight response.
• An appreciation of how you can produce your own relaxation response.
• Discover your own patterns and strengths.
• How to create your own personal ACTION PLAN.
• How to heal yourself.

Presenter’s Profile - To be advised

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Understanding Depression

Objectives
This session is for people who are experiencing depression, people who are personally supporting someone who is experiencing depression (friends, parents, family, whanau) and people within the community who would like to increase their personal understanding of how depression affects peoples lives, and to gain an awareness of the recovery process and maintenance techniques.

Session Outline
• Describing depression from a medical viewpoint
• The biochemical nature of the brain
• Vulnerability and contributing factors to experiencing depression
• Symptoms and warning signs
• How depression impacts on our lives and the lives of those around us
• Recovery and taking responsibility for ourselves
• Mental Health services
• Treatment and support options including: medications, ECT, complementary therapies, counselling therapies, light therapy
• Supporting someone who is experiencing depression

Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain a greater understanding of
• The different types of depression and mood disorders
• The bio-chemistry of depression and the effects of medication
• The symptoms of depression and contributing factors and how they impact on a person’s life
• How thinking, beliefs and values contribute to depression
• How lifestyle, nutrition, environment etc impacts on depression
• Treatment and support options and what is available in the community
• How to support someone with depression in a personal and professional capacity
• How the impact of stigma and discrimination impacts on recovery

Presenter’s Profiles - Dawn Nolan RN., Cert Teaching., Pg. Cert. IPT.
Dawn Nolan lives in rural North Canterbury and delivers training and clinical supervision for people who work in mental health related services around New Zealand. She holds a Clinical Lecturer position at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, teaching on the Bachelor of Nursing programme and in Graduate Nursing Studies.
Her primary work is as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Rural Specialist Mental Health Services for the Canterbury District Health Board.
Dawn hails from Shropshire, England where she qualified as a teacher in adult education in 1982 and as a psychiatric nurse in 1989. She has worked in England and New Zealand in educational and mental health services. Her work has been in a variety of hospital and community settings, including health authority specialist services, private practice and NGO’s such as MIND.
Dawn’s philosophy on mental health recovery is healing through self empowerment and advocacy of patients’ rights. Her area of specialist interest is psychotherapy and she is currently working towards her Masters Degree based in interpersonal psychotherapy.

Grant Cooper B.Com., Dip. Teach.
Grant has been involved in the disability sector for over 12 years working initially in the field of intellectual disability and for the last 6 years in mental health. For almost four years now Grant has been working in the field of anti discrimination as part of the Like Minds, Like Mine programme.
He has provided training to many mental health and disability organisations and was Chairman of the Depression Support Network Trust for 4 years.
Grant has his own experience of clinical depression which he describes as an “ongoing journey of recovery and discovery.” His own story has been told through the mediums of book, magazine and mental health website.

Please email for a registration form and next available dates for this workshop.

Other Training Providers

Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT)
National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) Level 4
National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) Level 6
www.cpit.ac.nz

Mind and Body Consultants
Certificate in Peer Support (Mental Health)
mindandbody.ac.nz

Skills Matter
Visit the website and click on the Training Database for courses available
www.skillsmatter.co.nz

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
National Certificate In Mental Health Support Work Level 4
www.sit.ac.nz

Unitec
Graduate Diploma in Not-For-Profit Management
www.unitec.ac.nz

Weltec
Alcohol and Drug Counselling
www.weltec.ac.nz