TORUS - Supporting the Mental Health of Young People

Torus Foundation approached us to write a bespoke package of mental health training and support for schools and families in their area. We designed a series of mental health sessions looking at a ‘first aid’ approach utilising the World Health Organisations key action principles of “Look, Listen and Link”, which included early identification, self-help and referral options. Additionally, we designed a bespoke Mindfulness for Children programme along with a “Trainer the Trainer” element for both courses.

 The programme included:

• 4 cohorts of professionals attending the First Aid for Mental Health training, which was offered as a mix of online and face to face options. The training was delivered through a 2-day programme and incorporated a Train the Trainer section. Sessions included key areas of mental health, the impact of stigma and discrimination and how to best support a young person with their mental health, looking specifically at key issues such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Delegates were also trained in how to deliver this knowledge to their wider workforce and community.
• 12 cohorts of parents & carers attending a 1 day First Aid for Mental Health training session. The training was delivered through a mix of online and face to face training and the sessions included key areas of mental health, the impact of stigma and discrimination and how to best support a young person with their mental health, looking specifically at key issues such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
• 8 cohorts of professionals attending the Mindfulness for Children training, which was offered as a mix of online and face to face options. The training was delivered through a 2-day programme and incorporated a Train the Trainer section. The sessions included the theory and application of mindfulness practice as well as lots of experiential activities. The training was interactive with lots of mindful practice, so professionals felt confident and able to share these strategies with the children they work with. Delegates were also trained in how to deliver this knowledge to their wider workforce and community.

The training was a great success, with lots of discussion, interaction and sharing of ideas.

Feedback from participants:

First Aid for Mental Health

I will be more alert to any potential issues for my children and I have definitely learnt to listen more -Parent
Found the course really useful. Listen more and don’t judge are my key take aways! – Parent & Professional
Active/effective listening, watching for signs and symptoms and where to go for support. Great course! – Parent
The course has taught me how to impart my new knowledge to my colleagues and subsequently the parents that we work with. - Professional
It was great. Very useful trainer! – Professional
The trainer was excellent. Knowledgeable, personable and made the training interesting and interactive. – Professional & Parent
Really good course and content was great. – Professional
The trainer delivered the training so well.  Very interesting and knowledgeable trainers.  One of the best courses I've been on and I feel really confident to share the information with my school!! – Professional

Mindfulness Training

I already have a Psychology masters, so my knowledge of how the brain works and responds is already at a high level, however, this course has given me a complete insight of different mindfulness techniques and how to train others to carry it out. - Professional
Great training and good to be in small groups, giving everyone opportunity to discuss and share ideas.  I wasn't sure how this course would work online but pleasantly surprised that it suited very well. - Professional
I really enjoyed the course. I have been on mindfulness courses before, but I feel this is the best one that I have experienced. The level of training was outstanding. The trainer was a very knowledgeable and professional.
I feel really confident in the sharing mindfulness techniques with children at school as well as sharing the course content with my colleagues and the families I work with. The training was great and I learnt so much. - Professional